The University and Primary Medical Care

Abstract

Primary medical-care programs are legitimate and central concerns of every university medical school. Sufficient engagement in the community to learn how better to meet the needs of large numbers of patients who are now without care is necessary, but overcommitment to service programs should be avoided. The role of the university is to develop new programs, study them and especially teach within them. Health-services research offers an intellectually rewarding and academically legitimate field for faculty members engaged in this area. They should use the knowledge developed in such research to help forge public policy for health, but only to the degree that they have data. When they move beyond the data they cease to be experts. Some must seek to combine the difficult tasks of remaining experienced clinicians, doing research, advising on public policy and teaching. Of these, teaching is the unique function of the university and must be a part of any university primary-care program.