Voices From the Past.
Reprinted from the Greater Kansas City Medical Bulletin, May 14, 1966.
REGIMENTATION OF MEDICAL PRACTICE
There was a time when a physician need answer only to his God and his conscience. Whatever the shortcomings in his knowledge or training, yesterday’s doctor was Captain of the Medical Ship. His word was Law.
Those days are gone forever. The social and economic revolution of the past decade has had profound effects on medical practice. The most disturbing of these is the speed with which the control of medicine is passing from private to public hands.
Today’s doctor finds his practice supervised not only by the Local, State and Federal governments, but by a myriad of professional organizations as well. The AMA. The AHA, the ACP, the ACS, etc, etc, ad nauseum. All have their rules and regulations. There is no hospital worthy of the name with less than fifteen standing committees for the sole purpose of regulating the professional activities of its staff.
On July 1, 1966, a large segment of our population will come under federally regulated Medicare. If today’s trends are any indication of the future, tomorrow’s physicians will be practicing in an environment of even greater regulation and control. Furthermore, they will be subjected to regimentation of another type which may prove to be the greatest challenge of all. They will have to cope with the unyielding discipline of new knowledge and technology increasing at rates so fast that even computers can’t keep up.
As our society becomes more complex, we realize that a certain amount of regimentation is inescapable. Some may even be necessary. Unfortunately, much of it is simply the reflection of the bureaucratic thinking of our times.
Is there any hope for the future? In my opinion, there is and it lies in the simple fact that medicine will always be a private relationship between the doctor and the patient. Regardless of the system of medical practice, people will continue to seek doctors in search of relief from their physical and emotional ailments. They have the right to expect the physician to be a human being, sympathetic to their problems, and whose primary concern is for their welfare. Doctors would do well to remember this and not allow their anger and resentment of the system to interfere with their best medical judgement.
Until better criteria are developed, the patient can do worse than trust the doctor who answers to his God and his conscience.
Sherman M. Steinzeig, MD
Editorial Board Representative
Wyandotte County Medical Society
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Mentoring
What is a mentor? According to Webster , he is "a faithful and trusted counselor or guide”. Then what is a "docent? It is defined as “ 1) teacher or lecturer and 2) a person who leads a guided tour”. In general, mentoring is usually considered to be a relationship of a minimum of 2 years. The docent concept as practiced at UMKC Medical School could therefore partially qualify as mentoring based on these definitions.
What is a mentor? According to Webster , he is "a faithful and trusted counselor or guide”. Then what is a "docent? It is defined as “ 1) teacher or lecturer and 2) a person who leads a guided tour”. In general, mentoring is usually considered to be a relationship of a minimum of 2 years. The docent concept as practiced at UMKC Medical School could therefore partially qualify as mentoring based on these definitions.
Being a good teacher does not automatically mean than one will be a good mentor. Teaching is the imparting of knowledge and the most successful teachers have occupational skills in their ability to present new knowledge with enthusiasm and flair.. Some of the techniques involved were covered in the Metro Med Bulletin. Chances are that the most revered teacher in your memory was both a good teacher and a good mentor paragraph
Mentoring in medical school and in post graduate training is considered adult mentoring and is distinctly separate from the techniques of the mentoring of children.. At present, the average medical teacher is most likely using the style one uses with children. Children are used to being told what to do, but this direct approach may not set well with advanced students and residents. The "drill sergent” approach at present could result in harassment charges against the teacher.
Resident learning is linked to what they need to know or do in order to fulfill their roles and responsibilities. They are striving for acceptance from peers and staff. They are anxious to prove that they "know something" and to show off their recently hard-gained knowledge. They are trying to shift from being subject-centered to being problem- centered.
The best way to help them become problem solvers is through questioning. When they ask for advice, the mentor should ask their opinion before responding. Some of the best mentors answer every question with a question. If the answer is fuzzy, they tell the student that he needs to "think more about it".
The areas of mentoring are. 1) education, 2) career, and 3) personal development. Educational mentoring involves inculcating the concept of being a perpetual student and the monitoring of knowledge by refresher courses, conferences and meetings. Career mentoring helps guide the student into a career for which he or she is most suited and , in residents, the necessary skills and competencies needed. Personal development mentoring guides decision-making and provides support during times of personal or social stress.
Simply stated, mentoring is the guiding of the development of the whole person. A basic grasp of the scope of mentoring is nicely presented by the work of Ned Herrmann and his “whole brain” concept. The Herrmann system classifies thinking processors into four distinct categories: A) logical, analytical and factual, B) structural, detailed, sequential C) empathetic, emotional and expressive D) conceptual, integrative, synthesizing. A good mentor would have a balanced distribution of the characteristics and use the competencies interchangeably. The scientific curriculum in medicine leans heavily on the A-B areas with emphasis on A characteristics, particularly in specialties.. Therefore, because of his lack of strength in the C and D areas, a typical specialist will have difficulty in truly mentoring a resident.
This makes specialties such as surgery, cardiovascular and gastroenterology. essentially apprenticeships, defined as "one bound by legal agreement to serve another for a certain time with a view toward learning an art or trade in consideration of instruction". Nowadays, the “apprentice” insists on a salary rather than trading his work for training and mentoring. Unfortunately, this causes consternation among those who give time to uncompensated teaching and mentoring.
Yet there are still those who love to teach and seem to have a calling. For them to feel fully rewarded, they should take a course in adult mentoring. It would improve the teacher, the student and the institution
Submitted 4/17/2009
C.Y. Thomas, MD
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Minutes of the Meeting of Feb 3, 2009
The Officers and Board of Directors of the John Locke Society of Greater Kansas City, convened at 9:30 AM on Tuesday, Feb 3, 2009 at the home of Keith Ashcraft.
Present were: Keith W. Ashcraft,MD, Don Blim, MD, Sherman M. Steinzeig, MD, Marjorie Sirridge, MD, Walter Stelmach, MD, and Chris Thomas, MD, Ron Youmans, MD, The minutes of the meeting of Jan 6, 2009, were read and approved.
Agenda Item 1: Jazz Night, Feb 21, 2009, 7-10 PM at Hallbrook Country Club, 11200 Overbrook Road, Leawood, KS. This event benefits the Sirridge Office of Medical Humanities and Bioethics. For information and reservations contact Pesto at 816-235-5882 or PestoM@umkc.edu. The deadline for RSVP is Feb 6.
Agenda Item 2: Dr. Stelmach has arranged a demonstration program for the, “Talking With Doctors” project. It will be held at 11:00 AM, on Friday, Feb 20, 2009 at the Presbyterian Church at 78th and Holmes. Drs. Sirridge and Steinzeig will assist Dr. Stelmach.
Agenda Item 3: The Gold Humanities Honor Society of KU will hold a luncheon at KU on Friday, April 17, 2009. Time and place to be announced. Interested members are invited to attend. The GHHS annual induction ceremony will be held at KU at 5:00 PM the same day.
Please let Dr. Steinzeig know if you wish to attend either event.
Agenda Item 4: A JLS luncheon will be held in March. Time and place to be announced.
Agenda Item 5: It was felt that an effort should be made to make better use of our blog and websites to reach our members and invite their participation. We will use the Bulk E-Mail list and articles in the Metromed Bulletin to try to do this.
Agenda Item 6: It was noted that there have been several books published recently that would be of interest to our members.
1) Critical, Tom Dashle
2) La Clinca, David Sklar
3) Why Bull Elephants Fight, Roger Youmans, MD
The meeting adjourned at 10:45 AM.
Signed: ___________________________________ Date: Feb 3, 2009
Sherman M. Steinzeig, MD Secretary
Present were: Keith W. Ashcraft,MD, Don Blim, MD, Sherman M. Steinzeig, MD, Marjorie Sirridge, MD, Walter Stelmach, MD, and Chris Thomas, MD, Ron Youmans, MD, The minutes of the meeting of Jan 6, 2009, were read and approved.
Agenda Item 1: Jazz Night, Feb 21, 2009, 7-10 PM at Hallbrook Country Club, 11200 Overbrook Road, Leawood, KS. This event benefits the Sirridge Office of Medical Humanities and Bioethics. For information and reservations contact Pesto at 816-235-5882 or PestoM@umkc.edu. The deadline for RSVP is Feb 6.
Agenda Item 2: Dr. Stelmach has arranged a demonstration program for the, “Talking With Doctors” project. It will be held at 11:00 AM, on Friday, Feb 20, 2009 at the Presbyterian Church at 78th and Holmes. Drs. Sirridge and Steinzeig will assist Dr. Stelmach.
Agenda Item 3: The Gold Humanities Honor Society of KU will hold a luncheon at KU on Friday, April 17, 2009. Time and place to be announced. Interested members are invited to attend. The GHHS annual induction ceremony will be held at KU at 5:00 PM the same day.
Please let Dr. Steinzeig know if you wish to attend either event.
Agenda Item 4: A JLS luncheon will be held in March. Time and place to be announced.
Agenda Item 5: It was felt that an effort should be made to make better use of our blog and websites to reach our members and invite their participation. We will use the Bulk E-Mail list and articles in the Metromed Bulletin to try to do this.
Agenda Item 6: It was noted that there have been several books published recently that would be of interest to our members.
1) Critical, Tom Dashle
2) La Clinca, David Sklar
3) Why Bull Elephants Fight, Roger Youmans, MD
The meeting adjourned at 10:45 AM.
Signed: ___________________________________ Date: Feb 3, 2009
Sherman M. Steinzeig, MD Secretary
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
501 (c)(3) Incorporation
As of July 2, 2008, The John Locke Society of Greater Kansas City has been incorporated as a 501 (c)(3), non-profit organization.
The By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation documents are up on the Internet. Go to www.myjohnlocke.com . Select the Primary Website. You will see menu headings for these items. Click and you are there.
Now you can donate all the money you wish with the complete assurance that it will be fully tax deductible. Isn't that wonderful news!
The By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation documents are up on the Internet. Go to www.myjohnlocke.com . Select the Primary Website. You will see menu headings for these items. Click and you are there.
Now you can donate all the money you wish with the complete assurance that it will be fully tax deductible. Isn't that wonderful news!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Patio Party
On Wed, June 4, the John Locke Society had a patio party at the home of Dr. and Mrs Keith Ashcraft. There was plenty of food, drink and good company. About 60 people attended including 3 of our Medical Outreach students. This was fun. We ought to do it more often.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Don Blim Interview of May 13, 2008
The JLS interview of Dr. R.Don Blim is now up and running on the website and ready for viewing. Dr. Blim is a retired Pediatrician and former Director of St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City. He is also a Member of the Board of Directors of the John Locke Society of Greater Kansas City. There are 6 short video clips. If you want to see them, click here or go to http://www.myjohnlocke.com/ and select the website for videos.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
John Locke Society Reorganization
The John Locke Society of Greater Kansas City announces a major reorganization of its infra-structure to better serve the needs of its base. For over twenty years, the present organization has been successful in several projects which it has undertaken. Among other things, it has provided a forum for retired physicians to enjoy each others company and fellowship. It has conducted a program for teaching health and hygiene to 5th grade primary school students.. Our, “Oral History of Medicine” project has been very well received. Our, “Medical Student Outreach” program is under way. We have websites and a blog. These activities have been carried out with very limited resources and a limited part time staff. They were successful because of the hard work and dedication of a few individuals.
All of this has been extremely worthwhile, but the demand for services has been growing faster than our ability to meet it. In order to get to the next level of efficiency, we need to grow. In order to grow, we need to do the following things:
1. Expand our base of operations to include more of our membership.
2. Expand our operations to meet new needs in the community.
3. Formalize our identity by acquiring a physical location with secretarial services.
4. Formalize our finances by incorporating as a 501 (c)(3) organization.
5. Upgrade our fund raising efforts to provide adequate working capital.
6. Reform our organizational infra-structure with new by-laws, and an annual meeting.
7. Improve our public relations efforts to recruit all retired physicians who
wish to participate.
Steps are being taken to address all of these issues. It can be done. It will take hard work and time, but it can be done.
The present Board of Directors firmly believes there is a huge need for an organization to serve retired physicians. These physicians have much to offer the community. We hope that the John Locke Society will be the organization through which they can make that offer.
All of this has been extremely worthwhile, but the demand for services has been growing faster than our ability to meet it. In order to get to the next level of efficiency, we need to grow. In order to grow, we need to do the following things:
1. Expand our base of operations to include more of our membership.
2. Expand our operations to meet new needs in the community.
3. Formalize our identity by acquiring a physical location with secretarial services.
4. Formalize our finances by incorporating as a 501 (c)(3) organization.
5. Upgrade our fund raising efforts to provide adequate working capital.
6. Reform our organizational infra-structure with new by-laws, and an annual meeting.
7. Improve our public relations efforts to recruit all retired physicians who
wish to participate.
Steps are being taken to address all of these issues. It can be done. It will take hard work and time, but it can be done.
The present Board of Directors firmly believes there is a huge need for an organization to serve retired physicians. These physicians have much to offer the community. We hope that the John Locke Society will be the organization through which they can make that offer.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Marvin Dunn, MD, Interview of March 18, 2008
The JLS interview of Dr. Marvin Dunn is now up and running on the website and ready for viewing. Dr. Dunn is Professor of Medicine and former Dean of the University of Kansas School of Medicine. If you know Dr. Dunn, you will love this interview. He tells it like it is.
There are 13 short video clips.
If you want to see them, click or go to http://www.myjohnlocke.com/ and select the website for videos.
There are 13 short video clips.
If you want to see them, click or go to http://www.myjohnlocke.com/ and select the website for videos.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
KC Hospice Seminars
The first KC Hospice Seminar was held Saturday, March 22, 2008. Present were 5 of the best looking medical students you ever saw, complete with white coats and stethescopes. Dr. Allegre made some introductory remarks and presented two current cases.
She then led ward rounds on the patients and began a conversation which lasted about 25 minutes with each patient. The students had ample opportunity to ask the patient questions concerning their situation. They were thoughtful questions.
The patients were well selected. They readily accepted the students and were very happy to talk with them even though one of the patients was experiencing some pain.
The group then retired to a conference room and discussed freely what they had just seen and heard.
It was an amazing morning. In my opinion, this is what medical education is all about. It could not have been better. Kudos to Dr. Allegre, the students who did very well, and the patients who had much to teach. Everyone learned something valuable. I think we have got something good going here.
She then led ward rounds on the patients and began a conversation which lasted about 25 minutes with each patient. The students had ample opportunity to ask the patient questions concerning their situation. They were thoughtful questions.
The patients were well selected. They readily accepted the students and were very happy to talk with them even though one of the patients was experiencing some pain.
The group then retired to a conference room and discussed freely what they had just seen and heard.
It was an amazing morning. In my opinion, this is what medical education is all about. It could not have been better. Kudos to Dr. Allegre, the students who did very well, and the patients who had much to teach. Everyone learned something valuable. I think we have got something good going here.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Marjorie S. Sirridge, MD Interview
The Marge Sirridge interview of Feb 26th, is up on the website and ready for viewing. Go to
www.myjohnlocke.com Select the website for videos and then select the Sirridge interview. There are 10 short video clips. You will learn a lot about the UMKC School of Medicine.
www.myjohnlocke.com Select the website for videos and then select the Sirridge interview. There are 10 short video clips. You will learn a lot about the UMKC School of Medicine.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
In Memory of Stanley R. Friesen, MD, PhD,
We were saddened to learn that Stan Friesen passed away on Feb 28, 2008. Those of you who knew him will be interested in the interview which he gave to the John Locke Society on Dec 6, 2007. Fifteen video clips totaling over 90 minutes of the interview can be seen on our website. Go to http://www.myjohnlocke.com/ . Click on the website for videos (second one down) and select the Stan Friesen interview, or click here on http://www.johnlockeweb.info/.
This interview speaks for itself and is a fitting tribute to a man who devoted his life to medicine and teaching. Our condolances to his family, friends and the many students who loved him.
Rest in Peace, Dr. Friesen.
This interview speaks for itself and is a fitting tribute to a man who devoted his life to medicine and teaching. Our condolances to his family, friends and the many students who loved him.
Rest in Peace, Dr. Friesen.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
KC Hospice House Seminars
On Tuesday evening, Feb 19, 2008, the KC Hospice and Palliative Care Center hosted a dinner at the Hospice House for the Student Volunteers from UMKC and KUMC and the Faculty of the John Locke Elementary School Project who are working with them.
It was a most enjoyable evening and a historic one as well. It saw the launching of a joint project whereby the KC Hospice would conduct a Seminar on Death and Dying for the Student Volunteers on the fourth Saturday of each month beginning March 22. The Seminars will be held at the Hospice House from 9-11 AM and will be led by Dr. Ann Allegre.
We think this will be an exciting project.
It was a most enjoyable evening and a historic one as well. It saw the launching of a joint project whereby the KC Hospice would conduct a Seminar on Death and Dying for the Student Volunteers on the fourth Saturday of each month beginning March 22. The Seminars will be held at the Hospice House from 9-11 AM and will be led by Dr. Ann Allegre.
We think this will be an exciting project.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
School Volunteers
Student medical student volunteers from UMKC and KUMC are now working with our JLS doctors in the Elementary School Health Program. Assignments have been made and classes have started. So far, it has been accepted enthusiastically by everyone involved.
We are now posting a JLS calendar so that everyone can keep up with assignments. You can access it by going to: www.myjohnlocke.com and selecting the calendar.
We are now posting a JLS calendar so that everyone can keep up with assignments. You can access it by going to: www.myjohnlocke.com and selecting the calendar.
Chris Thomas Interview
The Chris Thomas interview of January 8, 2008 is up on the website and ready for viewing. There are 10 short Video clips. You can access them by going to: www.myjohnlocke.com.
Select the Video website and you are in business. You may think you know Chris and St. Lukes Hospital, but you will learn something from this interview.
Select the Video website and you are in business. You may think you know Chris and St. Lukes Hospital, but you will learn something from this interview.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
KUMC School Volunteers
As of Jan 1, 2008, School Volunteers from KUMC will be joining students from UMKC in working with the John Locke Society Elementary School project. We welcome all of these students to the project and to the John Locke Society.
The students are: Ashley Kay, Kate Seymour, Sherri Braksick, Allison Ast, Kayla Gertsema,
Chris Avila, Peter Carter
The students are: Ashley Kay, Kate Seymour, Sherri Braksick, Allison Ast, Kayla Gertsema,
Chris Avila, Peter Carter
Stanley Friesen Interview
The Stanley Friesen Interview of December 6, 2007, is now on the Website and ready for viewing. Go to http://www.myjohnlocke.com/ . Select the video website and then the Friesen interview.
If you know anything about Dr. Friesen or the KU Dept of Surgery, this is something you won't want to miss. There are 15 video clips. It was all so good, we couldn't find anything to edit out. You will enjoy every minute of this one.
If you know anything about Dr. Friesen or the KU Dept of Surgery, this is something you won't want to miss. There are 15 video clips. It was all so good, we couldn't find anything to edit out. You will enjoy every minute of this one.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Herbert Davis Interview
The Herbert Davis interview of October 18, 2007 is up on the website and ready for viewing.
Go to www.MyJohnLocke.com. Then go to Video website. There are 9 short video clips.
Go to www.MyJohnLocke.com. Then go to Video website. There are 9 short video clips.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Octoberfest
Octoberfest 2007 was held October 26th at the home of Dr. Alan and Susie Forker. Plenty of good food and company were present. Mark Winston, and Paul Tran of the UMKC School Volunteers attended as our guests and made a great impression. They are UMKC students helping us with the elementary school project.
A good time was had by all.
A good time was had by all.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Accessing JLS Websites
Over time, the JLS has acquired several websites, blogs and E-Mail addresses to the point where accessing them has become a bit confusing. To make all this simpler and easier to use, we now have a reference website which is: http://www.myjohnlocke.com/
This is the only one you need to remember. It is basically a menu. Just go to this website and from there, you can access all of the sites. All you need to do is click on the one you want. A copy of the home page of this website is shown below:
Websites:
1) http://www.studymed.com/JohnLockeSociety/home.htm Primary website for the JLS
2) http://www.johnlockeweb.info/ Website for viewing videos
3) http://www.myjohnlocke.com/ Website (This one)
4) http://www.health4kidsonline.com/ Website for Health4Kids
Blogs:
1) http://www.johnlockejournal.blogspot.com/ Keep up with JLS
E-Mails:
1) Retiredkcdocs@yahoo.com Monitored daily
2) Jaydoc52@yahoo.com Sherm's E-Mail Monitored daily
3) JohnLocke@myjohnlocke.com or use form in Contact Us. Monitored daily
4) Kids@Health4KidsOnline.com Monitored daily
Phone:
1) Carol Pashman: 816-536-7072 (Cell) Monitored when in town
2) Sherman M. Steinzeig: 913 649-0355 Back up Monitored 24/7
Each of these features has a purpose. Website 1) is the Primary website for the JLS. This has most of the information about us. Website 2) is devoted to Videos. This is where you will find the interviews. Website 3) is the Reference or Menu website. Website 4) is devoted to our Health4Kids project. We are just starting to develop this.
The John Locke Journal is a blog. It is a good place to check regularly to keep up with recent developments in the JLS,
The E-Mails and Phones are convenient ways to contact us.
Remember http://www.myjohnlocke.com/. That will put you in touch with everything.
3) http://www.myjohnlocke.com/ Website (This one)
4) http://www.health4kidsonline.com/ Website for Health4Kids
Blogs:
1) http://www.johnlockejournal.blogspot.com/ Keep up with JLS
E-Mails:
1) Retiredkcdocs@yahoo.com Monitored daily
2) Jaydoc52@yahoo.com Sherm's E-Mail Monitored daily
3) JohnLocke@myjohnlocke.com or use form in Contact Us. Monitored daily
4) Kids@Health4KidsOnline.com Monitored daily
Phone:
1) Carol Pashman: 816-536-7072 (Cell) Monitored when in town
2) Sherman M. Steinzeig: 913 649-0355 Back up Monitored 24/7
Each of these features has a purpose. Website 1) is the Primary website for the JLS. This has most of the information about us. Website 2) is devoted to Videos. This is where you will find the interviews. Website 3) is the Reference or Menu website. Website 4) is devoted to our Health4Kids project. We are just starting to develop this.
The John Locke Journal is a blog. It is a good place to check regularly to keep up with recent developments in the JLS,
The E-Mails and Phones are convenient ways to contact us.
Remember http://www.myjohnlocke.com/. That will put you in touch with everything.
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