Medical education in the United Kingdom: Numerous positive indicators leading to a thriving specialty

Traditionally, medical education always took a back seat and there was no impetus on clinical teachers to train as better teachers. However, attitudes have changed over the past couple of decades. Now, not only doctors and other health care professionals but also the General Medical Council (GMC) and the National Health Service (NHS) recognise the pivotal role that clinical teachers play in medical education and the constant need to update and improve teaching skills. There is now an increased drive for clinical teachers to not only attend courses and workshops to train as better teachers but also to acquire formal educational qualifications. Further, trainees are also taking time out of training to work as Teaching Fellows to develop their teaching skills. Medical education is advancing as a speciality and it is helped by a large growing global network of educational associations, conferences and journals. Finally, the Objective Structured Teaching Encounter (OSTE) is being recognised as a good tool to develop teaching skills.