**6. Conclusion**

Whereas there is merit in the goal of the new curricula to produce holistic physicians, educational revisions must avoid producing graduates who do not have the level of expected clinical expertise because they do not have a sufficient grounding in biomedical science or a deep understanding of the pathological basis of disease. Enthusiasm for reform needs to be tempered by a more cautious and realistic approach to avoid unintended consequences.

Unless there is further modification, the new curriculum is at risk of producing graduates who are lacking in the characteristics which have set physicians apart from other healthcare professionals, namely superior clinical expertise based on a deep grounding in biomedical science and understanding of the pathobiology of disease. Physicians need to remain the preeminent medical experts who have understanding of basic pathophysiological mechanisms, particularly in dealing with difficult cases. The challenges for education of the best possible physicians are great but the benefits for medicine and society are enormous.
