Perspectives for the near future

A rapid balance of these 75 years in which Medicine has contributed with medical students in Social Service to the National Health System, with positive results is presented here as a basis to discuss and reflect on the conditions and characteristics that should be present in the Social Service performed by medical students. Some changes to the conditions under which the Social Service is performed are necessary, as well as improving the medical services to enhance medical continuing education. The main problems to deal with are: redefining sites characteristics, the gradual creation of different alternatives, regionalization, and the creation of double-vacancies in marginal rural zones, among others. In the intermediate term, it is necessary: adjust the legal situation, implementing continuous supervision and tutorship, and in the long term that general practitioners are in charge of all primary care in marginal and urban areas, and become tutors to the students in Social Service. These measures would allow us to strengthen continuing education and a more efficient collaboration to train human resources for the health care of our population.