Evening star., 1938-07-25
DOCTORS SLAUNCH
MEDICAL SURVEY
Study of Local Problems in
Health Begun, With Report
Due Soon.

The Medical Society OF the District
of Columbia has launched a compre-
hensive survey of medical care in the
Capital. it was learned today, with a
view of working out program for
consideration of the society at its next
meeting in the fall.
The study comprises two phases
fact-fnding survey and poll of
medical opinion here. Data are being
sought not only from medical pro-
fession, but from associated profess
sions, hospitals, welfare and Govern
ment agencies, schools, colleges and
universities, industrial and other
groups
Principal objects of the study. it
was learned. are to determine more
accurate facts as to distribution of
medical service in the District and
care Of the INDECENT.
The survey already is we'll under
way. largely through the use of ques-
tionnaires to the various groups con-
cerned. Many answers already have
been received, containing much data
and medical opinion in great detail
Report Due in Fall.
Findings in the survey probably will
be compiled throughout the summer
and marshaled in a report to be laio
before the Medical Society in the fall
The survey is the first of such a
comprehensive nature ever under
taken by the organized medical pro-
fession here.
1t was inaugurated some time be-
fore the recent National Health Con-
ference at the MayfloWer Hotel, where
the Federal Government laid before
representatives of many social, well
fare. relief. labor, medical and other
groups a Nationwide program for
better medical care At this con-
ference, American Medical Associa-
ton leaders raised many objections to
the proposed plan of the Government,
but promised to take it back to the
medical profession for study.
Agencies Cooperate.
Among the agencies from which
data are being sought are the United
States Public Health Service, the Dis
trict Health Department, hospitals of
the city, nursing services, public
schools, parochial and other private
schools, colleges and universities,
pharmacists. dentists. industrial and
fraternal organizations.
The medical society, it was learned.
hopes to get a cross-section of the
most carefully considered judgment
of the medical profession and then
work out program for medical care,
to be taken up by the society officially.
Among the studies which the society
will have available is the recent report
by the United States Public Health
Service to the Commissioners on the
District situation. The society not only
will go into this report, but will ask
the hospitals for new information as
to their present capacity and occu-
pants.
No prediction could be ventured at
this time as to what kind Of a pro-
gram may be drawn up, as the society
is said by its leaders to be entering
the whole matter with an open mind
to work out a solution Of the problem
of medical care.
The survey is in cooperation with
the national health survey by the
American Medical Association an
nounced by DR.. Irving Abel, A. M. A.,
president, to the recent National
Health Conference The District sur
vey, however, goes further than the
national study in obtaining the opin-
ions of local physicians on purely
local matters.