Osler Centenary Papers: Osler as medical leader. Issue 1130 (21st November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Singer, Donald R J
• Is Part Of: Postgraduate medical journal. Volume 95:Issue 1130(2019)
• Page Start: 647
• Page End: 651
• Publication Date: 2019-11-21
• Subjects: medical education & training; Medicine -- Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2019-137019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-5473

Abstract

Abstract: The Canadian physician Sir William Osler is a key figure in the history of modern medicine. He encouraged lifelong learning for doctors, starting with bedside teaching. Contemporary with Old World figures such as Pasteur in Paris and Virchow in Berlin, he played a major role in raising awareness among clinicians of the importance of the scientific basis for the practice of medicine. He championed a rational approach to treatment and did much to encourage avoidance of 'unnecessary drugging' by prescribers. He is credited with playing a key role in improving education of medical students and postgraduate education of doctors, with important benefits for the care of hospital patients. He also had a major influence on his medical colleagues through founding and leading medical societies. A century on from his death in December 1919, his specific contributions and how he achieved them are not well known. The aim of this article is to consider the evidence that Osler was an influential medical leader and to reflect on the extent to which the achievements which resulted from his leadership are relevant to modern clinical medicine. Questions of interest include his leadership style, what made for his success as a leader, his medical achievements both in North America and in England, his own insight into leadership and how he was viewed by his peers.