I had the honour and privilege of spending an evening with 25 other Family Doctors who are teachers (preceptors) with the UBC Family Practice Residency program in Nanaimo. I was joined with my amazing young colleague and friend, SC, who is an inspiration to me with teaching and living Family Medicine (thank you S!).
We talked about a number of topics including the generational differences in learning and teaching and how they have changed over the years. As well as providing support (new tools) and celebrate teaching of the next generation of Family Doctors.
As an example, I had brought my old Harrison’s Principle of Internal Medicine from 1988 which was chock full of medical information goodness (2118 pages)! My Christmas present for that year! Reading out the passage below of what it means to be a physician.
ENDURING VALUES OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION
No greater opportunity, responsibility, or obligation can fall to the lot of a human being than to become a physician. In the care of the suffering, [the physician] needs technical skill, scientific knowledge, and human understanding. Tact, sympathy, and understanding are expected of the physician, for the patient is no mere collection of symptoms, signs, disordered functions, damaged organs, and disturbed emotions. [The patient] is human, fearful, and hopeful, seeking relief, help, and reassurance.
—Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, 1950
Now fast forward to today with the 21st Edition (2 Volumes), now 4384 pages! I can now access this book online. There are many new learnings and advances in this Edition… yet, the principles of being a physician are no different.
21st Edition (this is Medicine’s collective WHY)
As today’s physicians strive to integrate an ever-expanding body of scientific knowledge into everyday practice, it is critically important to remember two key principles: first, the ultimate goal of medicine is to prevent disease and, when it occurs, to diagnose it early and provide effective treatment; and second, despite 70 years of scientific advances since the first edition of this text, a trusting relationship between physician and patient still lies at the heart of effective patient care…
—Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, 2022
Prevent, diagnose, treat (heal/support) with a trusting relationship between physician and patient.
Sounds like a Family Doctor wrote that? ;P
The future of Family Medicine is very bright… thanks to the next generations (and Batman)! ;P
Blue Sky Family Medicine 