Learning to cope: stress and medical career development in the United Kingdom.

This review addresses medical career development in the United Kingdom. This differs from other countries, and the structure of both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education is described in some detail. Problems identified from research surveys are given, and some of the proposals made to solve them are discussed. It is concluded that three main issues need to be addressed: greater attention needs to be paid to educational processes; teachers and their teaching must be valued; and appropriate support systems should be provided for medical students and trainees.