Training in epidemiology for medical assistants in developing countries.

The role of the Medical Assistant (MA) in developing countries in reviewed, with special reference to East Africa, in particular Tanzania. The development of training objectives in epidemiology for the MA is then described. A project is reported which has attempted to develop, field-test and evaluate a set of training materials in epidemiology for MA students in East Africa, based upon these training objectives. In general, these materials appear acceptable and appropriate both to students and teachers. The need is stressed for long-term evaluation of this approach.