The effect of underlying philosophy upon utilization of a program for impaired medical students

In recent years, an increasing number of medical schools have implemented educational programs for their impaired, or potentially impaired, students. The present research analyzed one such program viewing it as an organizational innovation and employing a theoretical model from the organizational literature. A survey sample of 170 medical students representing all four classes and recently graduated interns was utilized. Subjects were queried as to anticipated program use, degree of exposure to the program, accuracy of knowledge of the program, and perceived program advocacy. Via ANOVA analysis (regression approach) it was found that the general advocacy stance of the medical school toward the innovation (general diffusion emphasis) was not an influential factor upon potential use of the program by medical students. However, its concentration upon the actual procedures to be employed (specific diffusion emphasis) was a much better predictor. The implications for such a finding on the structure of future kindred educational programs was discussed.