A study indentified and ranked the 10 highest rated functions, 10 highest rated areas of knowledge, and 9 highest rated skills needed by hospital education directors in the 1980's. In addition, designers of the study sought to determine the learning approaches that are most appropriate in obtaining the identified knowledge and skills. Using a modified Delphi technique, researchers administered four questionnaires to 127 members of the American Society of Health, Manpower, Education, and Training. Based on the responses to the questionnaires, researchers offered the following suggestions: (1) Hospital education directors should prepare now for the many technological changes that will affect the role of the educator or the education department. (2) Particularly needed by the directors are competence in diplomacy; skills to integrate the educational and institutional goals of the hospital; and knowledge of institutional, attitudinal, and behavioral change processes. (3) Training approaches designed to teach the recommended knowledge and skills should be practical, involve internships and other on-the-job experiences, and stress human relations skills as well as individual and group counseling techniques. Appended to the report are the survey instruments and responses. (MN)