Are problems of academic medicine a new phenomenon?

Many of the problems of academic medicine are related to the actual challenges of health-care. Some disciplines have high prestige; these have advantages in education, while the needs of the society may differ to some extent. Introduction of the World Health Organization (WHO) concept on health as well as on functioning and disability into the training of physicians and more training in communication may remedy some of the discrepancies. The increase in the demand for physicians calls for improved ethical standards in the practice of importing health workers by the wealthy nations.