Fifth Report to the President and Congress on the Status of Health Personnel in the United States.

Information is presented on the number and characteristics of health professionals in the United States, students preparing to enter these fields, and the schools in which they are enrolled. Developments and issues currently affecting these health personnel and the possible impact of these trends on health care delivery are considered. Included is information on accreditation, curricula, enrollments, applicant and student characteristics, student costs and financial aid, graduates, women and minority physicians, medical costs and cost containment, geographic distribution of physicians, allopathic medical education, and osteopathic medical education. Information is included on data collection and analytical activities that are currently ongoing and the areas in which further information or analyses are needed. Recommendations about program activities for nursing and public health are included. The following personnel are covered: physicians, physician assistants, dentists, pharmacists, optometrists, podiatrists, veterinarians, nursing personnel, public health personnel, and allied health personnel (including clinical laboratory technicians, dieticians, medical records technicians, occupational therapists, physical therapists, radiologic technicians, respiratory therapists, and speech, language, and hearing therapists). Summaries, data tables, and reference lists follow each of the 10 chapters dealing with a separate occupational category. (SW)