In March 2000, following almost a year of extensive consultation with staff and students from all five Scottish medical schools, the Scottish Deans’ Medical Curriculum Group (SDMCG) produced an agreed set of learning outcomes which clearly define the qualities and abilities of medical graduates from any of the Scottish schools (Learning Outcomes for the Medical Undergraduate in Scotland: A foundation for competent and reflective practitioners — The Scottish Doctor).

Since then the report has been widely distributed to staff and students at all five Scottish medical schools and has been used to inform the processes of curriculum design and development. In addition, the outcomes have been refined and amended in response to feedback from a variety of individuals involved in medical education and the SDMCG has also directed a project on the assessment of the outcomes. This document — version 2 of The Scottish Doctor — incorporates the amendments and how the outcomes can be assessed.