The origins of the medical specialties; looking for a rapprochement with current medical practice

Abstract

This paper describes the origin of some medical specialties according to historical moments. We take as reference Eric Hobsbawm's proposal about nineteenth century “long” and twentieth century “short”, according to this author the nineteenth century begins historically with the outbreak of the French Revolution 1789 and ended with the onset of World War 1914; finally the “new” twentieth century which beginning with the end of the Soviet bloc in 1991 and continues until now. Medical practice and expertise go together with political-social and economic changes, which leads us to reflect on what type of medical specialist will need in the coming years?