The hospice movement has admirably improved management of the dying under its care. However, the majority of medical care of the terminally and chronically ill remains in the hands of practitioners outside hospices and is often open to criticism. This paper reviews the philosophy and practice of palliative medicine from the perspective of general practice and the shortcomings of present medical education in this area. Proposals are made for a radical shift in medical undergraduate teaching through an organized interdepartmental contribution by enthusiastic teachers to all years in training.