Organization and Scope of Research in Education for the Health Professions. Report on a Consultative Group (Prague, Czechoslovakia, September 28 - October 1, 1981).

A meeting of the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe was convened to examine the organization and scope of research in education for health manpower development (HMD). As a prerequisite for the formulation of recommendations, the participants considered the following points: the need for developmental research, the definition of research, areas requiring research, constraints on research, and current research activities in Europe in the area of HMD. Three working papers addressing these issues were presented. Based on these working papers and the deliberations of the participants at the meeting, recommendations were made calling for policies that stress the necessity for research in the education of health professionals in terms of changing health needs; for providing information on the current status and knowledge of HMD research in terms of its purpose, methods, personnel, financing, organization, and outcome; and for proposing alternative strategies and courses of action. In addition, the participants suggested that the regional office institute a research working party to oversee the development of research in the education of health professionals, ensure its priority, and develop the necessary theoretical framework for it. A series of recommendations to member states concerning their role in the facilitation of such research was also made. (MN)