Abstract

Abraham Flexner delivered his eponymous report 100 years ago. The Report had an immediate and profound impact on medical education in North America that resonated for several decades afterwards. Its impact was less immediate in the United Kingdom, but over time the major principles have been assimilated (GMC 1993). However, which—if any—of these principles are still relevant today? No doubt there will be debate about this, but in my view, Flexner's principle of academic and scientific excellence as one of the most fundamental underpinnings of medical education is even more relevant today than it was in 1910. To illustrate this, I shall highlight two aspects of current medical education in the United Kingdom: the ..