A pilot study is described that was designed to make medical students' early professional contact with the elderly occur with those who are well enough to function as independently living individuals. The students felt the teaching value of the experience equaled or exceeded that of their experience with hospitalized patients. (MLW)

Certain historical aspects of the biology of elderly people may be obscure to the medical observer and must be incorporated in medical case histories. History forms from 10 facilities and interview techniques were evaluated. Results from the Boston study show medical education is incomplete in this area. (Author/MSE)