Utilizing a systematic sampling technique, the professional activities of small groups of pediatricians, family practitioners, surgeons, obstetricians, and internists were observed for 4 or 5 days by a medical student who checked a prearranged activity sheet every 30 seconds to: (1) identify those tasks and activities an assistant could be trained to perform, and (2) determine the activities requiring the greatest percentage of the physician's professional time, both in the office and hospital. After the data were tabulated and the percentage time distribution had been completed, a committee for each specialty reviewed the results and agreed on those activities for which an assistant should be trained. In all five specialties the most time-consuming activity was related to the gathering and organizing of data and information incident to history taking and physical examination. On the basis of functional job analyses, course outlines, training objectives, and goals for training physician's assistants were developed. These development activities are described in this report. Related curriculum materials are available as VT 014 672. (SB)