ABSTRACT
All healthcare professionals are teachers. Globally, all healthcare professionals are expected to take responsibility for the education of colleagues, trainees, patients and the public. Both formal and informal, recognised and unrecognised teaching roles exist within healthcare, and the need and opportunity for such roles are increasing. The role of the healthcare professional as teacher is 'a core professional activity that cannot be left to chance, aptitude or inclination.' The impact of continuing changes in and modernisation of healthcare systems is felt in training and education through changes in patient care patterns and working arrangements. Funding for education is dynamic and vulnerable due to changing healthcare system and political priorities. Funding overhauls can either be beneficial or detrimental to various groups of healthcare professionals at different levels, particularly if disparities among groups are recognised. Healthcare professionals should be taught by those with recent practical experience.
