Medical education in South Africa - Exciting times

The dramatic political changes of the first ten years of democracy in South Africa have seen major shifts in vested power. Social change and political will have resulted in a new face of our medical student population. Diversity of colour, gender, religion and previously disadvantaged groups make student profiles as different as they could be from a decade ago. The forces of curriculum change, the devolution of power and resources from tertiary centres to primary care facilities and the financial squeeze on university coffers have resulted in enormous challenges for medical educators. South African doctors have been readily accepted in English-speaking countries around the world as they have been well trained, resourceful and usually extensively experienced in clinical situations. Some of these attributes remain. This paper outlines the new prospects facing those who will be educating the future doctors of South Africa.