AM ERICAN OSLER SOCIETY August 2006 Volume 7, Issue 2 The Oslerian A Message from the President Fathers and Sons Over a decade ago we initi- "Fathers and Sons". On one We feel that this is a misread- ated a reading weekend for of our long daily walks we ing of both the father and the Inside this issue: physicians and their compan- talked about the literature on son. Revere was not a ions, distributing a reading list this subject, the authors who scholar in the sense that an Participants' Evaluation of 2 in the spring and meeting in struggled or floundered in the academic life was in his fu- the 2006 Annual Meeting early October in an inn some- shadow of their fathers. He- ture, but as a teenager he was where in Nova Scotia when mingway, Chekhov and so an accomplished artist and Minutes from the Board of 3 the autumn colors were most many others never escaped woodworker, interested in Governors Meeting, 1 May 2006 resplendent. The reading list from the shadow. Turgenev, nature and was developing an varies, with perhaps a new or in the novel, Fathers and Sons interest in poetry, books and Minutes from the Annual 5 classic novel, a biography, (more correctly translated a wider literature. Even his Meeting, 4 May 2006 some essays, short stories and from the Russian as FathErs passion for fishing was not Call for Abstracts-2007 6 some poems. Usually, but not and Children) captured the just idle time-wasting, but a Annual Meeting in Mont- always, we have a theme. conflict of the generations serious interest and area of real, Canada, April 29-May Usually, but not always, there represented by the parent and study. His father used this as 3 is a medical connection, but the children. Jesus, in the an opportunity to encourage most of medicine and most of parable of The Prodigal Son, an interest in literature and literature deals with central spoke of the strength of the presented Revere with a first issues of the human condition, love and the willingness to edition ofIzaac Walton's The so we don't specifically select forgive, of a father for his Compleat Angler. What a obvious medical writings. son. proud father he must have With good meals, some wine been to arrange a celebratory and convivial company, we As we walked we turned our dinner for 9 guests when Re- spend the weekend discussing attention to the relationship of vere caught his first salmon. literature. William Osler and his son Revere. Some feel the son Revere was also a good cabi- This year the reading week- was not up to the standards netmaker, and a better artist, end will be at Keltic Lodge in set by his father, and must evidenced by the extant cop- Cape Breton, where the au- have been intimidated by a per plates of his architectural tumn colors are particularly parent whom others regarded etchings of scenes of houses brilliant. Traveling the Cabot as a paragon and a saint, so and doorways. At age 18 he Trail that winds up and down accomplished in so many drew his own bookplate the mountains overlooking the fields. In turn they would sug- (something his father never ocean can evoke both awe and gest the father must have been got around to designing or anxiety. One can see why the disappointed in a son who even deciding upon in his Scots came to this land of was "not a scholar", missed lifetime) and did drawings of rolling hills and placid lakes admission to Oxford on his moths and butterflies. which looks so much like first attempt and was initially Scotland. rejected for a commission in His father encouraged his son Jock Murray the Great War as "too imma- in his interest in stamps, Our theme this year will be ture". (Continued on page 2) The Oslerian Volume 7, Issue2 Page 2 Fathers and Sons (continued from page 1) books and literature, and Revere was accumulating a library impressive in both accomplishment and diversity. There is no of a size unusual for a teenager (but perhaps not for the son sign of disappointment by the father nor rebellion by the son - of a famous bibliophile). There is no suggestion that the fa- only mutual love, acceptance and admiration. ther had anything but love and support for his son, and pride in his accomplishments, and observed that he might become When Revere was killed at the front at age 21 his father was an architect or artist. On the other hand, the son seemed devastated and never recovered from the blow. We will never admiring of his father and the scene of him leaving on the know how Revere would have lived his life, but his teen years troop train, drawing a copy of Keat's poems from his pocket suggest to us that he had more talent, interest and good nature to wave to his father captures a touching moment of connec- than most teenagers, and because he was so supported by his tion between these two men. parents, would have done well in his chosen field. And it would have been one of his own choosing. Although William was 46 and Grace 42 when Edward Re- vere Osler was born, and his father at a quieter period of his Phillip Larkin wasn't correct about all parents. career, the relationship seems close, with the son receiving every encouragement. In comparison to most teenagers -Jock and Janet Murray (including TJM at that point in his life) these interests are [email protected] Participants' Evaluations of the 2006 Annual Meeting Fifty-one participants (45 physicians, six "other" persons • 94% felt their needs regarding: "Evaluate the extent to which completed the continuing medical education (CME) form at William Osler, and also persons who were directly or indi- the conclusion of the meeting held 1-4 May 2006 in Halifax, rectly strongly influenced by Osler, lived up to Osler's three Nova Scotia. Here are the aggregate results: main ideals ... " • 74% of respondents agreed strong(ythat the activity met • 90% felt their needs were met regarding lessons in public their needs, while the other 26 agreed health from such diseases as plague, cholera, and filariasis. • 78% agreed strongifthat the activity made them want to • 94% felt their needs were met regarding the usefulness of learn more, while the other 22% agreed. medical biography as drawn from specific examples. • 65% agreed strongly that the activity was valuable to • 87% felt their needs were met regarding their ability to dis- them professionally; 31% agreed and 4% were neutral. cuss whether and to what extent various literature and liter- • 73% agreed strongly that the format facilitated learning ary figures are useful to medical education and practice. while 25% agreed and 2% were neutral. Ninety-four percent of respondents agreed that appropriate ac- • 80% agreed strongifthat they would recommend the knowledgment of commercial support was made; 94% agreed activity to others, while 16% agreed and 4% were neu- that appropriate disclosure of relevant faculty relationships was tral. made; and 91% agreed that off-label use of products, if discussed, • 62% agreed strongly that the CME staff was responsive was disclosed by the speaker (with 24 of the 46 respondents leav- to their needs, while 36% agreed and 2% were neutral. ing this question blank on the basis oflack of off-label use). • 60% indicated that the opportunity for participation was Regarding the opportunity to list "the three most important things you learned from this activity," the most frequent response excellent, while 30% considered it good, 8% considered it satisfactory, and 2% considered it poor. was "the importance of understanding medical history" (5 per- sons). Also receiving more than one mention were "the impor- • 69% rated the course syllabus excellent, while 23% tance of humanism," "the contributions of Osler," "the influence rated it good and 8% rated it satisfactory. of Gene Stead," and "the range of abilities of AOS members." • 66% rated the facilities and food excellent, while 32% Four respondents indicated that the activity would enhance their rated those good and 2% satisfactory. teaching. Four respondents indicated the need for more time for • 81% gave the activity an overall rating of excellent, discussion, and two favored a longer meeting. while 19% gave it an overall rating of good Here are some specific comments: Regarding the overall learning objectives for the program, "Charles F. Wooley presented the best paper-"William Osler: A • 100% of respondents felt their needs were met regarding Clinical Historian Straddling Two Centuries." their ability to describe ways in which lessons from Wil- "An excellent program with terrific talks. Well run meeting with liam Osler's life and writings remain important to medi- many memorable moments." cal education and practice today. "The opportunity for participation was poor due to the length of papers presented." "Charles S. Bryan's presentation ran over" (Whoops!--CSB) The Oslerian Volume 7, Issue 2 Page 3 Minutes from the Board of Governors Meeting, May 2006 1. The Board of Governors of the American Osler Society for secretary-treasurer (three-year-term), Charles S. Bryan. met on 1 May 2006 in the Regency Room of the Prince This slate was approved by common consent. Dr. Bryan George Hotel, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Present were Drs. informed the Board of his intent to serve out the term con- Charles Ambrose, Charles Bryan, Arthur Gryfe, Neil tingent, however, upon the continued availability of ade- Mcintyre, William McMillan, Daniel Morgan, Sandra quate resources at his disposal. Moss, Jock Murray, Francis Neelon, John Noble, Clyde 8.