Medical school education in hypertension management: a national survey.

Results of a survey of 90 medical schools in 44 states indicate that only 11 had specific hypertension sections, and that after completion of four years of medical school, students had received only 18 hours of instruction in the management of hypertension. Undergraduate students spent only an average of 1.5 weeks in clinics specifically designated for the treatment of hypertension, and small numbers of students were involved in each school at any one time. Specific instruction during residency training was also minimal. Even when ward round and general medical clinic teaching hours are included, instruction in the management of hypertension is limited for a disease that is the most common chronic illness in the United States and accounts for over 5 percent of all physician visits by adults. An increased emphasis should be placed on training for the management of hypertension within the undergraduate curriculum and within the existing general medical and hypertension clinics.