Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine - Synapsis Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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ANGUS G. CATHIE, D.O. Director of Student Health Demonstrator of Anatomy EARL H. GEDNEY, D.O. Assistant Attending Surgeon DR. ANDREW TAYLOR STILL Page Twenty-nine

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1930 S PiKipsis WILLIAM S. SPAETH, D.O. WILLIAM C. WEISBECKER, D.O. AsEistont Professor of Physiolcqy RICHARD C. AMMERMAN, D.O. Professor of Gastro Enterology LE3TER M. MELLOTT. D.O. Assistcjnt Professor in PrdcUce cf Osteopathy Page Twenty-eight

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Cljc (General Clinic W ' lTH an enthusiasm born of hopefulness, the director gladly pauses to greet the most recent additions to the clinical department; the student physicians in the class of 1937! It is this group which will have most to do with the osteopathic care of those under- privileged patients who will make 40,000 visits to the Outpatient Department, during 1936. It is this class that will render a distinctive health service to the poor who are maimed and ill. The Synapsis furnishes a very appropriate medium for a message from the Director of Clinics, to the student body of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathy. Since the matter of clinical instruction in the scientific arts of osteopathy revolves about the Outpatient Department, it is of interest to student and instructor alike, to briefly review the history and evaluate the ultimate objectives of the practical phases of curricular activities. Until 1932, clinical operation was administered by a small number of the faculty. The patient first met a clerk who after admission assigned him to a student for professional care. Laboratory and radiographic diagnoses seldom were employed, after the sort of case history had been obtained. In circumstances of urgency, a graduate was called to facilitate the dis- position of the patient. Upx)n subsequent visits, other graduates, often unfamiliar with the case frequently answered student calls for help. The progress of the subject, the record of treatment and his ultimate disposal depended upon nothing more substantial than the student ' s memory. This system of instruction developed physicians of independence, who necessarily became alert and resourceful, but generally confused. Clinical statistics were inconsequential and the records unreliable. Since 1932, a new system of clinical instruction has emanated from a compact general staff of twenty-three graduates who supervise the work done in thirty-seven treating booths. The new patient meets at least five graduates during his first visit; routine laboratory work is done in every case, and carefully requisitioned special study is made not only in the Department of Radiology and Pathology but also in special clinics, manned by specially qualified and experi- enced instructors. Records are accurate, and each one contains the whole story of the patient, obtained by student and physician. Osteopathic spinal findings are available for clinical in- vestigation under the direction of the Department of Research. Directed rounds through the wards of the adjoining Osteopathic Hospital beca me an integral part of clinical instruction in October 1934. Statistics are periodically determined and all pertinent data may be obtained in any case at any time. The physician so trained, while less independent and less dogmatic than his predecessors, is nevertheless more thoroughly grounded and more experienced. The Board of Directors can be assured that it confers degrees only upon graduates whose efforts have been adequately supervised and meticulously rated. Under this regime, the volume of work quickly reached and subsequently surpassed the most optimistic estimate of the capacity of the outpatient department. Various refinements have assured almost personal tutelage for the student, wide experience for the staff and an unsurpassed health service for the underprivileged who are ill. As a result Osteopathy is rapidly gaining more favorable recognition in the community through its widespread network; meanwhile the profession, is accumulating statistics which are incontrovertible, illuminating and important. It is both a pleasure and a satisfaction for the director to report whole-hearted cooperation of staff and students in a clinical program which insures the future of a fine institution in a worthy profession. RALPH L. FISCHER, D.O., Director of Clinics, P. C. O. Page Thirty