As the mental health role of primary care physicians has been formally recognized in recent years, educational efforts have also been directed toward the development of mental health attitudes, knowledge, and skills. To assess gains in the latter area, recent literature (1974-81) on mental health training for primary care residents was reviewed. Although shifts from the pre-1975 literature in the training objectives, content, teaching methods and setting were observed, further needs were noted. These include more systematic instruction in the diagnosis and management of mental disorder, evaluation of such training and more extensive collaboration among primary care, psychiatric, and behavioral science disciplines in the teaching of mental health content to primary care physicians.