Many of the ideas contained within the GMC's 'Tomorrow's Doctors' could be considered as old ideas reworked for modern medical education. Sir John Struthers, a pioneer in the field of medical education, touched on many of the issues in 'Tomorrow's Doctors' in his writings published over one hundred years ago. The study of the history of medicine, often neglected by members of our profession in the search for new ideas, is not only of interest, but is valuable to current and future medical education. History illustrates the mistakes of the past, but also helps highlight the successes and insights that remain applicable and relevant today.