Teaching of basic sciences in postgraduate surgery.

In this paper, important deficiencies in the teaching of basic sciences to residents undergoing training in the surgical specialties are underlined. Since the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada has stipulated that residents must be successful at an examination in basic sciences before being admitted to the final examination in certain surgical specialties, it is important that program directors plan the organization of an adequate program in this area. To achieve this goal, it is suggested that closer cooperation is needed between the basic sciences and clinical departments of our medical schools so that specific objectives may be defined and teaching of basic sciences become more consistent with the prerequisites put forward by the Royal College.