TEACHING BY EXAMPLE

[摘要] Grover Powers, Chairman of Pediatrics, met with us pediatric clerks in the Trask Room at the end of Fitkin III. He was an awesome rotound figure with a shining bald head, quiet, soft spoken, yet firm in his convictions. His clinical skills were legendary."Come with me," he said, leading us to the bedside of a screaming infant. . ."Why do you think this baby is crying?" he asked. I suggested scurvy as the reason, unaware that no child with this disease had been admitted for many years. One classmate diagnosed acrodynia, and another suggested that the baby was suffering with an ear infection. Dr. Powers with a twinkle in his eye and a smile whispered to a nurse. She disappeared, returning with a warm bottle of milk. Dr. Powers cuddled the baby in his arms, offering him the bottle which he took with gusto. The baby and Dr. Powers looked at each other with endearing expressions which I can still remember."This baby is hungry!" said Dr. Powers. . . What a glorious introduction to pediatrics with a world-renowned pediatrician!The next morning, Dr. Powers again greeted us with "Come with me." We followed him to the bedside of a four year old who was busily eating his breakfast. No sooner had we squeezed into this small room, when Dr. Powers walked out the door. I was perplexed and asked "Aren't you going to examine the child with us?"Dr. Powers looked at me with a piercing glance that I gathered was his way of admonitioning a student or house officer. With great seriousness, yet with a twinkle in his eye, he said. . ."That child is eating breakfast. You wouldn't think I would interrupt his meal!"The fact that a person of Dr. Powers' stature was so concerned with a child's meal amazed me. What is even more impressive is what I learned from this experience. I have never interrupted a child's meal for an examination in the forty-seven years since this event took place!

[学科分类] 儿科学