There is ample scientific evidence to support the importance of gender issues in health and illness. If we fail to take such sex and gender difToine Lagro-Janssen 1 ferences sufficiently into account, this will affect the quality of health can be implemented in both optional and compulsory courses. Next, factors that can facilitate or impede the implementation of gender specific medical education are described. Finally, the author discusses what needs to be done to educate future physicians that are equipped with appropriate expertise to deal with aspects of gender in medicine.