The challenge of changing medical education and medical practice.

Fundamental issues are being raised worldwide on the future orientation of health systems. Doctors who have been driving the systems and are seen to be largely responsible for the present situation must now respond. These issues are concerned with equity of access to health care, quality of care, consumer satisfaction, rationing of resources, individual versus community rights, environmental determinants of health, technology assessment, and cost. The search for a new model that integrates all these factors has begun. And if the medical profession is to continue to play an influential role in health policy-making and to be respected by society, it must definitely adapt to the health requirements now being expressed by political decision-makers and health consumers.