The role of the doctor in the changing health service.

During the last quarter of a century there has been a gradual change in the doctor's role from that of being the personal provider of medical care to that of the leader of a health care team which is placing increasing emphasis on promotive and preventive health. For the doctor this has necessitated learning additional skills, particularly in the delegation of specific tasks to nurses and other paramedical personnel, the co-ordination of the activities of the health care team, and in teaching and management. The new Health Act of 1977 will enable doctors to develop along these new lines by making closer liaison between hospital and community-based services possible. These new trends in medical care will in turn require urgent re-orientation in planning for new buildings and facilities in the health service; especially with a view to keeping expenditure within available resources so that health skills and knowledge can be made available to everyone.