Evening star., 1950-03-07
VeteranHospita|
Curb Urged by
Leader
Sweeping Changes
In Medical Education
System Proposed

The Southeastern Surgical Con-
gress turned to scientific sessions
today, after hearing embittered
demands for sweeping changes in
medical education and abandon
ment of much of the veterans
hospital program.
The demands were made by DR..
r. P. Wilkinson of Huntington,
w. Va, the congress president.
at session of the four-day con-
ference last night in the Shore
ham Hotel.
Attacking the medical profess
sion and governmental health
and proposals with equal
vigor. he urged:
l. That only veterans with serv-
ice connected illness be treated in
"a relatively few" Veterans Ad-
ministration hospitals, and that
the surplus" hospitals and those
under construction be given to
States to hospitalize victims of
tuberculosis and mental disease.
Cites Medical School Deficits.
2. That money appropriated for
proposed veterans hospitals be
turned over to medical schools to
meet their present deficits" and
that further Federal aid must be
discontinued unless we are invit-
ing complete Federal control"
3. That medical schools with
draw from the veterans program.
charging that doctors accept $50
consultation fees for visiting the
hospitals as hush or good will
money"
4. That medical school grad
uates be forced to spend three
years as general practitioners be-
fore they may enter training as
specialists.
S. That dentists work mole
closely with the medical profess
sion to correct some of the OBJ
vious evils" and that pharmacists
not be required to spend four
years in training.
6. That medical schools must
graduate from 1000 to 1,500 more
doctors each year and develop
plans to provide larger incomes
for general practitioners.
Z. That Federal aid is needed
for more civilian hospitals, but
that it be allocated to States
without Federal control"
Criticizes VA Participation.
DR.. Wilkinson strongly criticized
medical colleges for participating
in development of the vast vet
erans' hospital program. In many
areas. deans committees" have
been formed to control programs
in which young doctors train in
the VA hospitals and specialists
serve part time as consultants.
THE alluring $50 consultation
bait that is being paid many ply
sicians today can in many in
stances be referred to as hush or
goodwill money, and it is evident
that herein lies the reason for the
medical professions hands off
policy" he declared.
The president said veterans with
service connected illness should be
treated in VA hospitals, but that
only about 20 per cent of those
under treatment now are in that
class, IF. for political reasons, the
connected veterans
must be protected" he added, the
Government could buy medical and
disqualification insurance policies
for them.
DR.. Wilkinson said that, through
the years. the American Medical
has been ultra con-
servative." but that it's present
leadership is a dynamic force
cognizant of our problem"
Would Admit Selfishness.
Placing blame for the AMA's
past record on it's members, he
asked, why not admit that we,
as individuals, have been so self
centered and selfish that impor-
tant economic problems have
been left largely to a few leaders?"
On medical education. the sur
gloal leader suggested this train
ing schedule: Three years of
pfe medical training, with
bachelor of arts degree after the
first year of medical school; four
years Of medical school, with a
doctor of medicine degree after a
one-year internship; three years
Of general practice, another year
OF basic science training and then
specially training for at least
three years.
DR.. Wilkinson said present spe-
,lalty training programs have
seriously affected our economy by
increasing the cost of medical
care" and that his plan would
increase the supply of general
practitioners.
Some Education Neglected.
For the e-medical courses, DR..
proposed less science
work. At present, he said. it is
at times embarrassing to find re-
'ent graduates in medicine unable
% write or to speak correctly. not
20 mention the total lack of knowl-
,dge pertaining to history, litera-
'ure or even the simplest economic
problems of life"
In another address, DR.. Elmer
less, chairman Of the AMA's COM
nittee on extension of hospitals.
aid local doctor groups-not the
AMA--must settle problems exist
ng between themselves and hos
oitals.
If we object to the Federal
Government having full authority
n Our political, economic and So
:ial life" he asked, "why then
hould we insist that a central
medical organization solve our
ocal medical legal problems?"
One Of the chief problems, he