like other collections of papers related to a single topic, this volume
arose out of problem-sharing and problem-solving discussions among some
of the authors. The two principal recurring issues were (1) the
difficulties in translating anthropo- logical knowledge so that our
students could use it and (2) the difficulties of bringing existing
medical anthropology literature to bear on this task. As we talked to
other anthropologists teaching in other parts of the country and in
various health-related schools, we recognized that our problems were
similar. Similarities in our solutions led the Editors to believe that
publication of our teaching experi- ences and research relevant to
teaching would help others and might begin the process of generating
principles leading to a more coherent approach. Our colleagues supported
this idea and agreed to contribute. What we agreed to write about was
'Clinically Applied Anthropology'. Much of what we were doing and
certainly much of the relevant literature was applied anthropology. And
our target group was composed-mostly of clinicians. The utility of the
term became apparent after 1979 when another set of anthropologists
began to discuss 'ainical Anthropology'. They too recognized the range
of novel be- haviors available to anthropologists in the health science
arena and chose to focus on the clinical use of anthropology. We see
this as an important endeavor, but very different from what we are
proposing.