Human genetics teaching in U.S. medical schools.

Information about instruction in genetics was obtained fron 103 of the 107 U.S. four-year medical schools. Seventy-two percent of the schools provide a compulsory course in genetics, but there was great variation in duration, content, departmental responsibility for giving the course, and in the disciplines of those doing the teaching. The variability in the number of hours devoted to teaching genetics was reflected in the competence of the students in giving correct answers to questions on genetics posed by the National Board of Medical Examiners. Electives and continuing education courses on genetics are given by two-thirds and one-half of the schools, respectively; but the subject receives very little attention in departments of preventive, community, or family medicine or in schools of allied health sciences. These findings suggest that genetics has not yet found a natural and comfortable context in the curricula of U.S. medical schools.