Physician education. The challenge of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a major health problem confronting society. Our communities are looking to physicians to help in both educational efforts, as well as in formulating public policy in the fight against the disease. For physicians to fill this important role, they first must be knowledgeable themselves. There is strong evidence that many physicians have resisted learning about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The increasing number of infected individuals requires the medical profession to find ways to overcome the barriers that prevent our colleagues from acquiring needed information. We must understand the reasons for our educational failures and devise methods to reach physicians with the knowledge base that they will need in helping to combat this terrible disease. Pathologists are in a particularly good position to help in this educational process.