Problem-based learning(PBL) is widely used as an effective educational tool; the fields in which it has been applied include medicine. Several reports have described the results of trials comparing problem-based and conve ntional approaches to learning; none, however, have compared the results between two groups where one had not undergone medical training, and the other had been partially trained, using the conventional approach. The aim of this study was to determine whether there was any difference in medical performance between two groups, as described above. Before the possible incorporation of PBL into our curriculum, we also wished to investigate many possible problems. Group A consisted of five premedical school students and group B of six students in the first year of medical school at our college. The same case which had been used in the tutor training program in the University of New Mexico School of Medicine was used by the same tutor who attended that program, and the whole procedure was evaluated by other faculty members through closed-circuit TV monitor. We also analyzed the results of evaluation by the tutors and students themselves. The general performance of the students was excellent, while the performance of the tutors were acceptable. Many possible problems, including library facilities and educational environments were also discussed. In conclusion, PBL is an approach which can be used in our medical college from an early stage. Before it is fully introduced, however the large number of potential problems should be carefully evaluated.
Curriculum ; Education ; Humans ; Learning* ; New Mexico ; Schools, Medical

The cliniopathological analysis was done on the 104 cases of malignant melanoma diagnosed at the Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) from 1984 to 1993. The basic clinical data and the pathological items were based on the New Mexico Melanoma Registry Worksheet. The results were as follows. The male to female ratio was 1 : 0.79. Primary cutaneous melanoma was more common in the male (M : F=1 : 0.56) but primary extracutaneous melanoma with slight female dominancy (M : F=1 : 1.25). The peak age was the 6th decade in both cutaneous and extracutaneous malignant melanoma. In 66% (35 cases) of primary cutaneous malignant melanoma, the primary site was located in the acral area (including cases of acral lentiginous and nodular type), of which 63% (41% of total cutaneous melanoma) was acral lentiginous type. Major components of tumor cells were epithelioid. Clark's level of tumor was III or more at the time of the first visit in the majority of the cases (85%). The incidence rate of extracutaneous melanoma was 34.6% (36 cases) among the primary melanoma, and the eyeball (17.3%) was the most prevalent organ. All these features suggest that the racial difference between the Korean and the Caucasian is evident and also that etiologic role of sun damage is not quite marked in the Korean. We also suggest that an early detection program is very important to cure this malignant tumor.
Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Melanoma* ; New Mexico ; Seoul ; Solar System

Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection acquired by inhalation of the arthrospore of Coccidioides immitis, and endemic disease in specific geographic areas, such as south central California, south Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico. Approximately 60 percent of infected people is asymptomatic and the remainders mostly exhibit respiratory complaints, from flu-like coughing to overt pneumonia. Usually the infection due to Coccidioides immitis is self-limited. Symptoms resolve within several weeks but radiographic abnormalities could be resolved more slowly. If the radiographic abnormalities persist more than 8 weeks, the term 'chronic pulmonary coccidioidomycosis'is designated. They take forms of nodules, cavities or progressive pneumonia. When manifested as nodule(s), lung malignancy is suspected as a possible diagnosis and histologic confirmation is needed. Here, we report a case of chronic pulmonary coccidioidomycosis manifested as solitary pulmonary nodule in a Korean woman who has traveled in Arizona, which is diagnosed fianlly by lobectomy and histologic examination.
Arizona ; California ; Coccidioides ; Coccidioidomycosis* ; Cough ; Diagnosis ; Endemic Diseases ; Female ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Lung ; Nevada ; New Mexico ; Pneumonia ; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule*

Coccidioidomycosis is a rare systemic fungal infection in Korea. However, the incidence of coccidioidomycosis has recently begun to increase due to the increasing incidence of people traveling overseas to endemic areas. In previously reported cases of coccidioidomycosis in Korea, the radiographic findings usually showed a solitary pulmonary nodule, pleural effusion, cavitation, and hilar lymphadenopathy, but no miliary nodules. We report a case of disseminated coccidioidomycosis with miliary nodules in an immunocompetent patient. A 32 year old male, who had traveled in Corona, New Mexico, USA, was admitted for an evaluation of persistent cough with fever. Chest radiography revealed initially diffuse multiple small nodules that appeared to be miliary tuberculosis. However, a subsequent evaluation revealed that he had disseminated coccidioidomycosis.
Adult ; Coccidioidomycosis* ; Cough ; Fever ; Fungi ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Male ; New Mexico ; Pleural Effusion ; Radiography ; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule ; Thorax ; Tuberculosis, Miliary

Coccidioidomycosis is a rare systemic fungal infection in Korea. However, the incidence of coccidioidomycosis has recently begun to increase due to the increasing incidence of people traveling overseas to endemic areas. In previously reported cases of coccidioidomycosis in Korea, the radiographic findings usually showed a solitary pulmonary nodule, pleural effusion, cavitation, and hilar lymphadenopathy, but no miliary nodules. We report a case of disseminated coccidioidomycosis with miliary nodules in an immunocompetent patient. A 32 year old male, who had traveled in Corona, New Mexico, USA, was admitted for an evaluation of persistent cough with fever. Chest radiography revealed initially diffuse multiple small nodules that appeared to be miliary tuberculosis. However, a subsequent evaluation revealed that he had disseminated coccidioidomycosis.
Adult ; Coccidioidomycosis* ; Cough ; Fever ; Fungi ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Male ; New Mexico ; Pleural Effusion ; Radiography ; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule ; Thorax ; Tuberculosis, Miliary