An office-based primary care trial of pindolol ('Visken') in essential hypertension.

A large, open, multi-centre study was performed by physicians in general practice to evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of pindolol (10 to 20 mg per day) in the treatment of patients with essential hypertension. The records of 7324 patients who completed the 6-week protocol with pindolol alone or in combination with a diuretic were analyzed by computer. Substantial reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were obtained in the majority of patients regardless of age, sex or race.

Application of the continuing education systems project. CME as organization development.

Temple University's Office of Continuing Medical Education and 18 affiliated institutions implemented the Continuing Education Systems Project (CESP), in order to improve the quality of CME. As a result of the findings, it is proposed that the CME unit be accepted and supported not merely as an adjunct educational service for physicians but as an agent of the hospital's organizational development. Accordingly, the role of the CME unit is one of facilitator of change, functioning as a system feedback mechanism and coordinator of planned change.