Training in the Renaissance continued to be at university for Trained Physicians. During the Renaissance this became more practical and would involve observing dissections and learning from the work of Vesalius. Some physicians travelled to Italian universities for training. In 1518, the Royal College of Physicians was founded to regulate and license physicians. A standard textbook was Thomas Sydenham's Medical Observations (1676). He echoed Hippocrates' idea - first do no harm.

The invention of forceps to assist with the delivery of babies meant that women became excluded from being midwives as it was believed that anatomical knowledge was required to use them successfully and this could only be acquired at the universities which were barred to women.

The Company of Barber Surgeons was established in 1540 by Henry VIII. This made it a more regulated and respectable profession.

The majority of people bought treatment from quacks - people with no medical training. Some of these were well-meaning whilst others were fraudsters.

GCSE Health and the People AQA

Renaissance Training