Characteristics of the internship programs for students in medical illustration and biomedical communications.

A survey questionnaire was developed to request general information about each program as well as specific information on internship objectives, what interns do, internship sites, benefits, problems, preceptors, evaluation, coordinators, contracts, and support services. Questionnaires were sent to the directors of 17 programs, and to the chairman of the internship committee of the Association of Medical illustrators, all of whom responded. The 15 useable responses from program directors were divided according to type of program, compiled and analyzed separately. Respondents agreed that an internship is a valuable experience for medical illustration and biomedical communications students.