The national curriculum guidelines of 2001 require medicine undergraduates to receive consistent training in humanities. In order to meet this requirement, teaching staff are faced with a new task, in addition to the production of scientific knowledge, professional qualification and ethical training. In light of this premise, therefore, the Medicine professor would be required to acquire a surprising attribute; that of being an "intellectual". This article presents a critical analysis of the feasibility of this "enlightenment mission" in relation to 21st century Brazilian medical education, drawing on historical assumptions for teacher training both in Brazil and abroad.
Medical Education; Faculty; Humanities