Introduction:

Vulnerability, impoverishment and unemployment have all increased during the Covid-19 pandemic. Considering that a socially responsible and committed Medical School needs to understand that there are basic societal needs on which training processes must be based, it has become necessary to reflect on Medical Education during this period of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Objective:

This essay will seek to critically reflect on the lessons learned in relation to Medical Education in the current context of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Development:

In 2010, the Lancet magazine published a manuscript entitled “Health professionals for a new century: transforming education to strengthen health systems in an interdependent world”, which involved an historical and socio-epidemiological analysis on health training, with the aim of reflecting on the required characteristics for professional training geared toward the 21st century. In view of this and the 20 years elapsed of a new century, we ask the question: how are we training professionals for the 21st century? Are we reproducing technicist standards dressed in “new clothing” or are we promoting social responsibility over the course of the training process? Are we using active methodologies with a technical focus or broadening analysis based on a social deterministic perspective of the health-disease process, proposed by the National Curriculum Guidelines? We do not propose to present a simple answer, but rather to foment the debate so that we can think together about the possible paths to broadening our training and really focus on training processes aimed at promoting equality in the 21st century.

Conclusion:

We must champion causes on behalf of the SUS users, and also bring this need to our students’ attention. Modern society also demands certain attitudes and relational skills of health professionals which need to be put into practice in their training.

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