Americas

The Americas comprise a fairly heterogeneous group of countries and regions including Canada, the US, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. An influential mix of global ideas and concepts have significantly contributed to the medical health systems in these areas.

The RCP has been both a strong influence and resource in this respect; and continues to be an excellent resource and partner in promoting higher standards of medical care. Certainly in advanced health care systems such as in North America, there is much to learn from each other. Challenges include:

1. Quality of Medical Care: Its definition, measurement, dissemination and practice
2. Health Care Reform
3. Application of Evidence-Based Medicine guidelines
4. Medical Education at both the Pre and Postgraduate level
5. Reducing Preventable Infections Nationally

RCP Medical Education programmes such as "Doctors as Educators" have been successfully delivered at several academic medical centres in the US. There is growing interest in such clinical skills programmes in North America.