This report examines the implications of the HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) epidemic for general professional education in medicine with a focus on the period of medical student education and the early years of residency training. Five sections are as follows: impact of the HIV epidemic on medical practice; issues for general professional education in medicine (basic values and attitudes, basic knowledge and skills, and HIV/AIDS knowledge and skills); resources needed for effective HIV/AIDS education (clinical and community resources and faculty resources); special issues (HIV/AIDS and the attractiveness of medicine as a profession, HIV/AIDS and the choice of specialty and residency program, and educational imbalances in clerkship and residency programs); and role of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). An appendix provides the AAMC statement on professional responsibility in treating AIDS patients, approved and endorsed by the AAMC Executive Council, February 25, 1988. (SM)