The university and the needs of the society: what professional models?

An overview of the complex Italian situation and the consequences of the European integration, which puts an emphasis on the role of research and education involving the universities and the specific faculties, is given. Attention is then focused on the characteristics of the evolution of the medical activity and health services as for prevention, health education, more extensive knowledge and the need for continuing education. Different problems are tackled and pertinent suggestions are offered. The cultural and professional perspectives of the doctor should be considered within a new psychosocial approach to the illness, super- and hyper-specialization, collaboration and skills in non traditional fields. Medical education should be based on tutorial teaching and student-centered rather than on the traditional teacher centered-academic teaching. For better health care medical education and training should be updated with respect to the doctor-patient relationship as well as to the technological advances and team-work in medicine. The ethical aspects of the medical profession should be evidenced to be able to tackle the involved problems. The main features of the doctor of the future are the need and the difficulty of updating and life-long learning.