Knowledge which Cannot be Used is Useless

Abstract

Clinical and community medicine are applied sciences. The medical school is responsible for ensuring that its graduating doctors can apply scientific principles to health problems. That responsibility requires: 1. the selection of subject matter necessary for comprehending those health problems, 2. the presentation of subject matter within its application to explanation of those health problems, and 3. the examination of students through their ability to manage the health problems. If these three requirements are met, medical schools will have established a clear and logical relationship between the means used within the course and the achievement of the ends to which they aspire.