HMOs and health education.

HMOs, by their stated purpose and nature, have a necessary and central involvement with health education. The specific characteristics of any HMO determine the extent and quality of health education. An HMO has the responsibility to identify its educational objectives, as well as the educational components of any of its other objectives. The more professional the educational guidance, the better it is integrated into the organization, and the greater its financial and administrative support, the more likely will be the success in achieving objectives. In brief, every HMO has the need and potential for a health education effort. The extent and quality of that effort will reflect the mix of administrative philosophy, organizational characteristics, the degree to which professional educators are involved, and the amount and stability of financial support.