 This paper examines the contextual factors that influence medical education and provides recommendations for addressing the challenges faced by physicians. It reviews the evolution of medical education over time and considers how these changes have been influenced by the needs of the general population, the requirements of healthcare systems and scientific progress. The paper then discusses the challenges inherent to the special characteristics of each country and suggests ways to design curricula that integrate all aspects of healthcare, consider the supply and demand of medical services, emphasize professionalism and ensure quality standards. Finally, the paper highlights the need for medical education to adapt more quickly to the changing landscape of healthcare and recommends that teaching and learning strategies be developed to keep up with the pace of change. This article was authored by Mario Gabriel Torres Calixto.