ARE DEPARTMENTS OF GENERAL-PRACTICE IN MEDICAL-SCHOOLS REALLY NEEDED

Few medical schools appear aware of modern developments in general practice and of its educational potential in helping provide balance to a predominantly teaching hospital approach to the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Contributing to the problem are a lack of clarity about the term "undifferentiated doctor", failure to understand the different purposes of undergraduate and vocational training and the erroneous view that general practice is not a "proper" university discipline because it lacks an intellectual basis.