The Beth Israel Ambulatory Care Center (BIAC) is a family-centered primary care clinic which replaces the general medical, obstetrical, and pediatric clinics of a major teaching hospital. (Editor)

The new health practitioner is a generic name for nonphysician health personnel who are trained to carry out many of the primary medical functions and tasks which heretofore have been the sole province of the physician. (Editor)

Undergraduate and postgraduate training program for England and Israel are described and assessed for their effect upon career development. Relevant government policy is also reviewed for its impact upon the educational design. Particular attention is directed to evolving medical schools that are attempting innovative approaches to primary care…

Reports a 4-year experience in teaching evaluation of care at a 3-year medical school. Topics are introduction of patient care evaluation, impact of professional standards review organization (PSRO) legislation on program design, results (evaluation of quality assurance program), and future teaching of quality-cost evaluation. (JT)

The responsive approach was used to evaluate the residency and preceptorship programs of a medical education curriculum emphasizing primary family practice. Students in the preceptorship program gained four weeks of intensive experience in a private practice clinic. A summary of the resulting data was presented. (GDC)

The nature of the professional interaction between the pharmacist and the patient was explored, with data collected from 3,743 questions asked of 16 pharmacists during an 8-week period. Factors that might affect the nature of the pharmacist-patient interaction are identified along with a cognitive-based profile of patient wants. (LBH)

An analysis of M.D. and physician's assistant (P.A.) student comparative performances at Baylor College of Medicine is presented. The analysis was seen as being appropriate in view of the P.A.'s increasing involvement with the implementation and monitoring of therapeutic programs. (Author/MLW)

A primary objective of the Weatherhead Border Health Fellowship Program at the University of Arizona was to introduce medical students to international sociomedical problems by providing a firsthand experience in a cross-cultural medical setting. Mexico offered a uniquely accessible environment in which to demonstrate the program's objectives.…

Issues of the medical specialty distribution problem are identified: how to provide an appropriate balance of generalists and consultant physicians and how to ensure appropriate use of technology by physicians. To improve the quality of medical services, the profession must be concerned about the types and numbers of future physicians. (MLW)

The results of two Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) surveys of ophthalmology teaching are reported. The results indicate that currently assigned time for teaching ophthalmology is limited and gradually declining. A main concern is that students learn proper diagnosis to avoid inappropriate referral. (Author/MLW)

The organization and curricula of internal medicine residencies programs that emphasize primary care are described and compared with traditional residencies in internal medicine. It is noted that primary care residents spend more time in ambulatory care and are allowed more electives in specialties outside of internal medicine. Out-of-hospital…

A study using microcomputer algorithms for more efficient management of six common pediatric care problems found improvements in all performance measures with computer algorithm use. However, use was discontinued after five weeks because the six physicians perceived the algorithms as too tedious for routine care. (Author/MSE)

A Boston interdisciplinary health care project places nursing students and medical students in neighborhood health centers for clinical experiences for primary care. The students engage in interdisciplinary seminars, work together with patients and families, and plan projects. (JOW)

The usefulness of hospital charges as a means of teaching medical students the relationship between the quality and the cost of medical care provided by primary care physicians (internists and family physicians) is presented. It is believed that such case studies can aid medical students in understanding their developing role as "generators of…

Outlines the problems requiring restructuring of programs to prepare two new types of primary care physicians: a family physician who is predominantly an ambulatory care specialist and a primary care internist, pediatrician, or obstetrician who cares for most diseases in office and hospital. (JT)