JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association
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Changes in continuing medical education (CME) during the past three decades have been controversial and complex. A 1950s-style, small-scale, voluntary activity has evolved, in 1987, into broad-scale programs with accredited sponsors and with ties to relicensure. Within the next three decades, CME will be directed by methods chosen by specialty boards for recertification and by exploitation of computer and telecommunication technology. ⋯ We hope improved methods of analysis of individual practices, on-the-spot access to pertinent medical information, and better communication among physicians can be incorporated into recertification procedures. Policies established now will shape CME for decades to come. We encourage a coordinated effort by medical specialty boards, medical societies, hospitals, medical schools, computer corporations, telecommunication firms, granting agencies, and the National Library of Medicine to ensure the most effective and efficient recertification and CME policies.
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The American Medical Association Council on Long Range Planning and Development has identified trends in the environment of medicine that are likely to affect the future of obstetrics and gynecology practice. The professional liability crisis is among the most potent factors affecting the types and numbers of services that obstetricians and gynecologists will provide in the future. The setting for obstetrics and gynecology practice is likely to be affected by advances in technology and trends in delivery and reimbursement systems. ⋯ Other factors affecting future patterns of delivery include the anticipated aging of the female population and the changing social and economic roles of women. In particular, the feminist movement has focused more attention on women's health care and is expected to have a continuing impact on the delivery of obstetric and gynecologic care. The Council concludes that the most salient issues for the specialty in the future will be the following: (1) the direction of the professional liability crisis, (2) medical practice competition, (3) the feminization of poverty, (4) ethical issues arising from technological and social imperatives, (5) the changing gender profile of the specialty, and (6) the impact of the feminist movement on women's health care.
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The growing number of couples seeking to adopt may have outstripped the number of babies in the United States available for adoption. Although increased availability and use of abortion have resulted in fewer single women continuing their pregnancies, the increased tendency of unmarried mothers to raise rather than relinquish their children has, in particular, limited the number of babies available for adoption. ⋯ Appropriate obstetric care of women placing their babies for adoption includes acknowledgment of the loss these women experience. Knowledge of adoption resources and willingness to discuss adoption can help physicians provide better care of unintentionally pregnant as well as infertile patients.