Abstract
Why are faculties of medicine a specific part of universities? What does it imply for the work of historians? Is there a lesson from the conclusions of historians for current debates about the organizations and financing of university education, science or health service? Problems relating the study of history of faculties of medicine after 1945 ensue apart from other things from their wide-ranging connection with hospitals. From the brief recapitulation of changes of relations between Prague faculties of medicine and their clinical background in the 20th century it is apparent to what extent historical experience is (ir)relevant when assessing current projects.
In conclusion we can find a reference to the possibilities of historiography of medicine and universities to contribute to the process of coping with the problematic past.