A group of directors of schools of public health and health administrators convened to discuss the administrative problems involved in the education and training of public health medical officers (PHMO) in the World Health Organization (WHO). Their two main purposes were (1) to specify the needs for, and patterns of medical officers of health and to discuss possible training programs which would be closely relevant to their expected functions; and (2) to orientate the long-term program of the Regional Office more towards the education and training needs of those engaged in public health services, as well as towards WHO country health planning projects dealing with health manpower development in relation to all categories of health personnel. The working group set out to review PHMO training programs in a number of European countries. The following elements were analyzed: differences due to sociopolitical influences; the socio-economic situation and its implications for the functions of the PHMO; the functions of the PHMO; and recruitment difficulties. The group also identified difficulties and prevailing tendencies of the programs by focusing on the following aspects: present developments; content of training (skills); role of research in training; senior staff training for leadership; and educational policy and planning. Finally, in considering how the Regional Office could best promote public health education, the group reviewed various types of schools of public health and studied the relationship between schools and health administration. The meeting concluded with a summarizing of the most important factors and implications. (BM)