[Research, training and community links in today's hospitals]

The role of hospitals in research, medical training and their relationship with the community is challenged by socio-economical, epidemiological, demographic and technological changes western health care systems are facing today. This paper enhances that: 1. beside the experimental, high tech and biotechnological model of research, there is still a great need for studies in areas such as: doctor-patient relationship, disability, access to care and patient satisfaction; 2. medical training should open to community settings in order to avoid excess in medical specialisation and future shortage of primary health care professionals; 3. a close link with community health care should be established through strategic and operational planning between hospital and community services and a formalised role for family physicians within hospital-based Departments of Family and Community Medicine.