This collection of 34 papers from various nations reflects the state of the art in the development of community-based medical educational programs. Papers are grouped into the following topical areas: (1) community-oriented education, (2) evaluation, (3) innovation and change, (4) problem-based learning, (5) administration of education, and (6) medical education worldwide. Specific topics of papers include: demonstration programs, models, community based health programs, rural community programs, evaluation of innovative programs, evaluation models, outcomes evaluation, evaluation of problem based medical education, evaluation of tutor effectiveness, lecturer evaluation, the use of evaluation to effect program change, materials for problem based learning, use of standardized patients, admission to medical education, the World Federation for Medical Education, the World Health Organization's agenda for changing medical education, and research in medical and health professional education. Countries represented include the Sudan, Nigeria, the United States, Senegal, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, and Sweden. A bibliography lists 48 recent books, 19 journals and newsletters, and 53 abstracts of recent papers addressing: administration, assessment, community-oriented and general practice, educational methods, evaluation, problem-based learning, problem solving, skills training, students' learning, research, and teaching. Institutional members of the Network of Community-Oriented Educational Institutions for Health Sciences and members of the Network's executive committee are listed, and the Network's aims and objectives are outlined. (DB)