How is the medical student being trained in microbiology and infections?

Reduction in curriculum time and shifts in interests of microbiology and epidemiology departments have altered the nature of the exposure of medical students to clinical problems of microbiology and infectious diseases. Major objectives of training in microbiology and infectious diseases are poorly met because of the large mass of material the student needs to assimilate. Students graduate from medical school using antimicrobial agents as a substitute for diagnostic acumen, without an understanding of how microbiologic laboratories should be used. Methods to improve this situation should be studied.