On the reform of the out-patient department of our hospitals / by Edward H. Sieveking.

  • Sieveking, Edward H. (Edward Henry), 1816-1904.
Date:
1868
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the reform of the out-patient department of our hospitals / by Edward H. Sieveking. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    MEDICAL EDUCATION: OUT-PATIENT HOSPITAL PRACTICE. The following letter has recently appeared in the British Medical Journal. Dr. Parkes’s pamphlet on Medical Education advocates vjews similar to those which I entertain, and has encouraged me to believe that there are good grounds for urging a change in our present system. I therefore am desirous of obtaining a further consideration of the principles which I advocate, and offer the letter to my medical brethren, in a new dress, though otherwise unaltered. — E. H. S. 17, Manchester Square, Feb. 18th, 1868. My dear Sibson,—You are aware that, ever since we have worked together at St. Mary’s Hospital, I have advocated the utilisation of the out-patient department for the purpose of teaching our students, and leading them to independent thought and practice. I have seen no reason whatever for altering or modifying my opinion; and I have great pleasure in comply- ing with your request that I should put my views on the subject on paper. In the present curriculum of medical education, no provision is made for bridging over the chasm between “ walking the hos- pital” and private practice, except in the case of the more dili- gent and persevering students who fill our house-surgeoncies; but even those do not fulfil all the requirements of a perfect system of education. I conceive that the out-patient depart- ment ought to, and may easily, be made a means of forming that bridge. It will be necessary materially to modify the pre- sent arrangements regarding the class of patients alluded to;