What major advancement in medical education occurred in the late 19th century?

In the late 19th century, there was a significant transformation in medical education, marked by a shift toward scientific training and hands-on clinical practice. This advancement was driven by the increasing recognition of the importance of evidence-based medicine and the need for doctors to be well-versed in scientific principles. Medical schools began to emphasize rigorous scientific curricula, which included anatomy, physiology, and pathology, allowing students to understand the underlying mechanisms of diseases.

Additionally, the incorporation of clinical practice into the education system allowed medical students to gain firsthand experience in patient care, further strengthening their practical skills. This dual focus on scientific knowledge and clinical application distinguished medical training of the period and laid the groundwork for modern medical education.

While the establishment of public medical libraries, the development of surgical techniques, and the introduction of health insurance systems were also important in their own right, they did not have as profound an impact on the foundational structure of medical education as the emphasis on scientific training and clinical practice did during this transformative time.