Læknablaðið - 01.12.1963, Page 61

LÆKNABLAÐIÐ
181
units in which the duty of train-
ing the assistant is appreciated
and in which the staff structure
permits this. Secondly for this
future specialist there must be
facility for study in the basic
sciences. Wliere numbers are
small tliis may be by an attach-
ment to the appropriate Univer-
sity Department but for large
numbers classes must be organ-
ized. At a later stage in liis
programme organzied courses
of studj' in the clinical subjects
liave their places, but they must
be regarded as supplementary
to and not a substitute for in-
tensive and extensive clinical
work. There is an ever present
danger tliat their importance
can be over emphasized. Then
too, for the future specialist
there must be adequate library,
museum and laboratorv facili-
ties so that he has opportunities
for personal study and research.
And lastly some consideration
must be given to how he is
to be able financially to meet
the expense.
The preparation for general
practice presently is the subject
of much studv. The limitations
of undergraduate education de-
mand tliat ere entering inde-
pendent practice more than
sirnply the further clinical ex-
perience gained in the compul-
sory period of hospital residen-
cy is required. At the moment
in the United Kingdom he
spends a period of assistantship
with selected established general
practitioners, but the adequacy
of this is being questioned and
the possible way in which im-
provement can be brought
about studied. It is suggested
for example that much could
be gained if tbe future general
practitioner in addition followed
a programme designed to fit
bim for his future carreer. He
should in particular have fur-
tlier knowledge and experience
in the subjects of dermatology,
otorhinolaryngology, paediact-
rics, geriatrics and psychiatry,
since these are severlj' curtailed
in the modern undergraduate
curriculum, but of everyday im-
portance in practice. He re-
quires too, to become familiar
with the structure of the health
service and with the many facili-
ties and social agencies which
can render help to the sick and
aged or to the dependents of
tliose who are ill.
And further wliere the practi-
tioner proposes to practice in
areas distant from skilled, spe-
cialist and hospital resources lie
would probably require train-
ing in emergency surgery and
obstetrics. In a country like the
United Ivingdom with its dense
population, its numerous hospi-
tals, and its easy transport these
latter may be of less signifi-
cance, but in many other coun-
tries this is of great importance