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Abstract
The influence of the 'hard' biological sciences on the practice of medicine is compared with a sociological approach, and with the growing public challenge to the overriding power of medical 'experts'. A disease-oriented, mechanistic approach to the medical task is related to a patient-centred orientation, as epitomized by the general practitioner. The personal role of the doctor, working in active collaboration with other professions, is advocated and his traditional lead role explored. A case is made for interprofessional continuing education as a means of promoting shared responsibility for health care, and for the curriculum to be based on the world as it is and not on abstract theorization.