Problem-based medical education in general practice and health care quality assurance

States that health systems globally are in transition, for which also a correspondingly reformed education is required, involving new--and renewed--basic sciences, principles, skills and methods. To that end, demonstrates how problem-based learning in general practice is almost ideal, although still sparsely implemented, and has much in common with health care quality assurance. Contends that primary care in many ways comprises the most important platform and vehicle of modern health services and their interaction with the population. Uses the example of the Faculty of Health Sciences in Linköping, where all curricula are integrated, community-oriented, problem-based and have a focus on primary care and general practice. Represents a useful and hitherto insufficiently recognized widening of the overall field of health care quality assurance, and summarizes some of the experiences therein. Also provides a brief overview of the literature.