This study examined the relationship between graduate medical education (GME) and practice profiles in three specialties: family practice, psychiatry, and obstetrics/gynecology. Two analyses were performed, the first assessing the relationship between GME and current practice patterns and the second assessing the relationship between GME and predicted practice patterns. In formulating an adjusted needs-based model, four dimensions were found to be central to characterizing the practice profile (and the subsequent manpower requirements) of a specialty: (1) the diagnostic and procedural content of the specialty; (2) the ambulatory versus inpatient setting of care; (3) productivity and the proportion of professional time spent in non-patient care activity; and (4) the delegation of visits to non-physician providers. Each of these dimensions was used as a basis for comparing GME with current and 1990 normative practice patterns in each of the three specialties. Among the conclusions reported are those indicating that profiles of residents and practicing physicians in all three specialties (with few exceptions) were markedly similar (suggesting that residents basically appear to do the same kinds of things in training that they will do in subsequent practice) and that, although a high degree of correspondence between training and subsequent practice is desirable, absolute correspondence is not. (JN)