Beyond 'tomorrow's doctors': a review of basic medical education in the UK.

Basic medical education in the UK has been radically reshaped in the past 15 years, prompted by the General Medical Council who drove, supported and monitored the changes. Central aims of the reform included a reduction in curricular factual content, greater prominence of skills acquisition, eradication of the pre-clinical/clinical divide and a higher profile for community-based teaching and learning. Some of the major developments are outlined, although change continues in other areas. Consequences of the initiative include greater choice in the courses now offered to applicants to medical school, the growth of medical education units within medical schools and greater interest in medical education generally.