Preface T HE work of general practice goes on, whether or not anyone agrees how to define it, for patients always need to be looked after. Trainees can learn from their practical experience in many ways, whether they are taught systematically or as opportunities arise. Nonetheless, general practice trainers really ought to organize their teaching in a professional way and be accountable for it. This paper is concerned with evolving a curriculum, identifying what might be involved, and provoking further discussion about a difficult and rather neglected subject. I am particularly grateful to Peter Gordon, Janet Grant, Janet Harland and John Sayer, 'real' educational specialists who gave their time and advice so freely; and to Paul Freeling, Denis Pereira Gray, Donald Irvine, David Metcalfe and Bill Styles, who were invaluable allies and shared many ideas about general practice training with me. I am also indebted to my fellow course organizers of the Northwick Park Vocational Training Scheme and to several generations of trainees, for I cut my teaching teeth on them and they tolerated my experimentation with amazing good will. I have happily culled ideas from all, but would not wish to hold any of them responsible for the opinions expressed in this paper. I have found curriculum development a fascinating subject and have read a great deal about it, discussed it with friends and colleagues and, finally, have written this report during my tenure of the 1989 Fellowship of the Course Organisers Association. I am grateful to the officers of the Association for the opportunity they have afforded me to pursue my interests in this way. The perennial dilemma of writing clear English without an apparent sexist bias seems insoluble. I know that these days only half our medical graduates are male and that talented trainers come in all shapes and sizes, but what can one do? Only the plural form conceals its gender, yet writing about collectives reads badly. I have therefore followed the normal convention and used the masculine form throughout. I hope that my daughters and other feminists will forgive me.

OLIVER SAMUEL

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