Intern and resident organizations in the United States: 1934--1977.

Hospital house staff movements for collective bargaining have persisted for more than 35 years. The problems addressed seen equally persistent--inadequate pay, excessive hours, poor working conditions, and low standards of training and patient care. Interns and residents continue to face the organizational handicaps of transient membership, poor funding, and apathy, yet negotiated contracts indicate limited legal successes. Improved patient care conditions are less evident than improved house staff conditions.