The use of support personnel is the key resource in achieving increased productivity in the physician's office. The types of medical assistants and physician's assistants are defined. Their qualifications, specific occupational duties and responsibilities, and their educational and training programs are described. Fragmentation into exclusive programs for each specialty should be avoided. It is better to train all medical assistants to a competent level of broad medical skill before allowing specialization. It is important to make it possible for them to move to related positions or, once trained, to advance to higher level positions. The use of highly capable support personnel makes it possible to achieve increased productivity without decreasing the quality of services rendered. Physicians should support the establishment of training programs in community colleges and other institutions and participate in guiding these programs.