Medical education in Indonesia: primary care and community health

Curriculum changes in medical schools in nonindustrialized countries are being aimed at producing graduates who have a better understanding of the assessment and management of community health problems. The rationale for such changes exists in the context of appropriately balancing a country's limited resources with unmet medical needs in rural and poverty areas. Indonesia's efforts to improve its medical students' qualitative and quantitative participation in community health activities are discussed. Student and faculty problems in the community health program of Udayana University Medical School in Denpasar, Bali, are cited. Knowledge gained from community health programs in Indonesian medical schools should be examined by U. S. medical educators who are seeking to improve the community orientation of American medical students.