Before presenting a model for physician training, this article reports development of a portable training packet for physicians in the application of social learning theory principles to the treatment of handicapped children and their families. A brief review of the recent literature underscores the need for physician training in behavioral approaches to treatment. The article then discusses the favorable outcomes of pilot research efforts, including a description of how these results are now being used to direct ongoing program development. It details plans for the Physician Impact Project, which involves the evaluation of a behavioral training model as applied to three groups of residents in Family Practice Medicine. The model focuses upon the development of socialization and self-management skills among children with developmental or emotional/ behavioral disorders. Formative evaluation throughout the course of the project is designed to direct the development of a demonstrably effective instructional model, which will be packaged and disseminated to other medical training sites. In closing, the paper addresses the relative merits of the project's training approach and the potential benefits to be realized from its wide dispersion and utilization. (Author)