Health care system and medical education in Canada. 1. Review of the health care context in a time of change.

Over the past three decades Canada has developed an exemplary system of universal health care. However, current financial constraints threaten to undermine the very foundation of the system that represents Canada's respect for social justice. The first of these two articles (Part 1) discusses the unique characteristics of the system, a comparative view of universal health care systems, the reaction of the medical profession to governmental control, and finally the funding and manpower shortages that are compelling a review of the values and organization that have sustained the system thus far. The second article (Part 2) reviews the organization and funding of medical education and the impact of some critical changes in the health care system on postgraduate medical education. Issues related to new licensure and certification requirements, changing population demographics and approaches to health care delivery, manpower needs, and the attitude and expectations of the public are discussed.