SPECIAL COMMUNICATION An Ideal Medical Teacher

Science is knowledge and it needs to be dispersed and disseminated in order to translate into an improved quality of life for the local, regional and global community. The responsibility of conveying and decoding the language of medical science into the minds of learners falls upon the shoulders of medical educators. They are the ones who pave the way in the making of our future physicians and surgeons. The functions of medical teachers extend far beyond the mere imparting of theoretical, stereotype bookish concepts or developing the routine protocol of clinical skills. Their duties include the framing of personal and professional growth among medical students, while developing among them, a sense of responsibility for themselves and the community and instilling within the medical learners, the requisite ethical standards for fulfilling the Hippocrates Oath of physicians. The expectations from the 21st century teacher of medicine are often too many and unrealistic, but they constantly strive towards fulfilling their roles. This article pays a tribute to all such persona along with highlighting some of their unique characteristics