title: Using an optical scanner and data base program to manage a family medicine teaching program.
abstract: This article describes the value of optically scannable forms and off-the-shelf software in improving administration of a required multi-site, third-year family medicine preceptorship. Formerly, a small preceptorship administrative staff manually handled nearly 1,000 evaluation forms per year. The process was slow, cumbersome, expensive, and inflexible. Optically scannable forms are now used and data bases are created, from which a series of administrative reports are easily generated. This system has reduced management time and cost, eliminated errors, and allowed staff to create both standardized and specialized reports as needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Practice, University of Iowa, Iowa City.
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Xakellis
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Gjerde
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Emerson
mesh_terms: D003628:Database Management Systems / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D011231:Preceptorship; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013663:Teaching