Survey on medical student attitudes. A socio-economic report of the Bureau of Research and Planning, California Medical Association.

One of the concerns of the Committee on the Role of Medicine in Society of the California Medical Association is the apparent "attitude gap" between medical students and physicians already established in practice. In November 1967, the first of a series of meetings took place between Committee members and senior students from each California medical school. Discussion ranged from curriculum planning to individual and organizational politics, and revealed differences of opinion between students and physicians on such issues as Medicare and the financing of health care for the nation. These discussions suggested to members of the Committee that several clearly defined subject areas were worthy of further investigation. It was decided, therefore, that a questionnaire be sent to medical students and residents, with the goal of gaining a better understanding of the nature and extent of such differences of opinion. Some of the highlights of the findings of this survey are discussed in this Socio-Economic Report.