In an attempt to focus student attention on interpersonal aspects of medical practice, 31 students were trained to present the history and symptoms of an actual patient and then visited 11 physicians to get help for their "problem." Follow-up discussions were held to evaluate the physician-patient relationship. (LBH)

The family practice resident is taught that the patient's family is the most medically relevant context for viewing the patient's present symptoms and illnesses. With the removal of the necessity for family interviews, an effective training program in family dynamics was designed for family medicine residents. (Author/MLW)