GOALS

House officers and students... frequently argue that factual information and knowledge of pathophysiology are more important to the student, that the reward and evaluation system in medical schools is based largely on one's store of information rather than on one's decision-making capability. This latter argument is difficult to counter, since it does reflect much of the current approach to teaching and evaluation. It also brings into focus, however, the question of goals. Presumably our intent is to educate physicians to be good decision makers. What remains to be determined is what mix of teaching efforts directed towards factual knowledge on the one hand and the strategy of decision making on the other is likely to produce the most effective clinicians.