More attention should be paid to the formation of attitudes in doctors

The scientific explosion of the second half of this century has led in the medical field to a process of specialization and sub-specialization, with heavy emphasis on knowledge and technical skills and neglect of the traditional humane and interpersonal aspects of the practice of medicine. An important part of clinical competence of the physician is thereby threatened. Therefore faculties should be encouraged to devise ways of teaching the formation of the right attitude as an integral part of the curriculum and include the testing of attitude in their evaluation of final competence of the student.