The social face of medicine

Abstract

In this article the author describes the social aspect of medicine in Malta. The author mentions the need to enhance the medical curriculum and include a set course of bioethics within the 5-year curriculum. The author states that in Malta social aspects of medicine are only touched by medical students during the course of study. The minds of future generations of students should be broadened to include formal teaching on the significance of a humane approach to patient care. Their education should give due importance to the relevance of the social structures of society and their impact on disease and medical practice.