History lessons in medical education: A current necessity? Kapil Sugand, 1, * David Metcalfe, 2 Donna Arya 1 and Kash Akhtar 1 1 Charing Cross Hospital, Imperial College London (UK), London, and 2 University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK. Aim: To explore and discuss the necessity of integrating the history of medicine within the medical curriculum. Methods: International peer-reviewed academic journals, PubMed and MedLine databases and secondary sources were explored to review historical events that revolutionalized the practice of medicine, surgery, pharmaceuticals and robotics, among others. Results: Numerous case studies have been presented in chronological order, which have made a sustain- able impact on clinical practice. The profiles of pioneers and the historical events that led to a chain reaction of advancement in the history of medicine have been discussed, with a view to their impact on future achievements. History should still play an integral role within undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. Key words: education, history of medicine, medical curriculum. Introduction The study of history is a cornerstone of primary and secondary education worldwide, but plays only a minor part in undergraduate education. There is not a single mention of it within any medical education frameworks. Physicians and the public are currently occupied looking forward at the development of robotic surgery, nanotechnology and stem cell therapy, yet no one should forget the significant con- tributions from our predecessors. This article presents an account of those doctors that revolutionized surgery to show how these led to major advances still considered as the pinnacle of contemporary medical sciences. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. (George Santayana, 1863–1952) The most important lesson of history is that ignoring the past will delay future progress. History might belong to the humanities, but there is nevertheless a scientific approach to its content, especially in the context of biomedical sciences. Interpreting history requires lateral thinking, analytical skills and a dash of imagination. The history of medicine has repeatedly shown that true pioneers had the courage to challenge traditional medical beliefs and practice. History used to be a cornerstone of medical study until only a decade or so ago. As the international medical curriculum continues to expand to encom- pass communication skills, professional development and law and ethics, the study of history is itself becom- ing a thing of the past. So why, if at all, is it still significant today? We briefly discuss three historical partnerships that led to perhaps the most profound discoveries made in medical sciences. In each case, the individuals con- cerned were motivated or inspired by their own study of the history of medicine. These stories show that the current generation of doctors and scholars must appreciate the role of their predecessors if they too aspire to leave their intellectual footprint on medical science. Galen and Hippocrates: logical treatments versus divine cures Galen is one of the most distinguished doctors in the history of medicine. He was heralded as a talented second-century physician, surgeon and anatomist for his animal dissections and work on gladiators. His work went on to conquer both Medieval European, Christian and Islamic medical traditions for nearly 1300 years. *Author to whom all correspondence should be addressed. Email: ks704@imperial.ac.uk Received 7 April 2012; accepted 8 August 2012. Surgical Practice doi:10.1111/1744-1633.12003 Review Article © 2012 The Authors Surgical Practice © 2012 College of Surgeons of Hong Kong Surgical Practice (2013) 17, 18–21