[The role of tutors in training residents: future outlook]

Introduced late in the Spanish system of training residents, the figure of the tutor has been detailed in the new legislation governing the training of medical specialists. The law also details the functions of tutors, some of which have been relegated to the regional governments. The functions of tutors are outlined in six sections: planning training activity, receiving new residents, proposing individual training plans, acting as a reference for residents, promoting residents' participation in educational activities and research, and participating in the evaluation of residents. The recognition of tutors' work has hardly gone beyond the recognition of their managerial functions and of their need for special training. The future publication of new regulations by the regional governments might increase this recognition. On the other hand, the development of the new core curriculum with different training trunks will probably pose new challenges and increase tutors' workload.