THE CHANGING CONTEXT OF UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL-EDUCATION

It has long been recognised that intensive efforts are needed to refor m medical education in order to meet the future needs of populations w orldwide. Pressure for changes to the organisation, content and delive ry of both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education has greatl y increased in the last two decades. The experience of innovative medi cal schools, the emergence of learner-centred teaching methods and the implications of healthcare reforms in North America and Britain are m ajor factors influencing calls for change. The pace of change has acce lerated to such an extent in recent years that progress towards widesp read reform appears to be more attainable than ever before. This artic le provides an overview of the changing context of health-care, some p atterns of existing medical education and some strategies for change.