Undergraduate medical education in Cyprus: the introduction of two medical schools.

BACKGROUND Plans are underway to open the first two medical schools in Cyprus, a small island nation in the eastern Mediterranean. Two schools are planned: a private one which will offer graduate-only entry and provide a 4-year course and a state one which will admit school leavers for a 6-year course. AIM The article aims to examine some of the arguments that led to this development and how this fits into the health education policy of Cyprus. METHOD Information was gathered through searching PubMed, Google, international and local press using several keywords. The most recent search was in March 2011. Further information was sourced directly from publications and press releases from the relevant universities, institutions and regulatory bodies such as the Cyprus Medical Council and the Cyprus Statistical Service. DISCUSSION Key questions discussed include the small size of the country, the size and number of medical schools and the impact on research. Comparisons are drawn with other countries and their experience.