The Health bulletin [serial] - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

PUBLI5AED BYTAE N^RTA CAROLINA STATE B'^ARD-^AEALTAIVol. 66 JUNE, 1951 No. 6J. W. R. NORTON, M.D., M.P.H., State Health Officer JOHN H. HAMILTON, M.D., EditorJOINT RESPONSIBILITIES OF PUBLIC HEALTHAND PRIVATE PRACTICE*J. W. R. Norton, M.D., F.A.C.P.Raleigh,North CarolinaThe customary detailed report hasbeen submitted for this Conjoint Sessionas has been done previously. It is felt,however, that instead of an annual reviewof activities at this time, it wouldbe more helpful to mention, and commenton, some of the opportunities forconstructive joint action by privatepractitioners and public health workers.Let us go into consultation regardingour North Carolina and our communitypatient just as we might determine theessential findings, make a diagnosis andwork out a plan of treatment for anindividual patient.We are often faced with unreasoningand undeserved criticism and with openattempts to make immediate radicalchanges by those with selfish motivesor by some with sincere intentions butlacking in basic understanding of thetotal problem. It is essential that wewho have dedicated our lives to medicaland health care understand eachother and give intensive study to currentproblems and the best methods fortheir solution. We must resist all attemptsto drive wedges between thosephysicians who work for salaries andthose reimbursed on a fee for servicebasis. Clinicians, researchers, laboratoryRead before the Conjoint Session of State Board ofHealth and the Medical Society of the State of NorthCarolina. May 9, 1951.*SecreUry of the State Board of Health and StateHealth Officer.workers, teachers, and public healthphysicians seek alike the goal of constantlyimproving health for NorthCarolina. Specialists and general practitionersbenefit themselves and theirpatients when similarities are emphasized,rather than differences. In providingmodern medical and health care,it is required that we work in harmonywith each and all of the others. Thebest treatment includes attention to prevention.Desirable public health methodsassist, and never interfere withethical private practice.Our embarrassment and disappointmentat unfair criticism and selfish attemptsat regimentation must not beallowed to induce a persecution complexwith a resulting tendency toward superficialand emotional striking out blindlyat foe and friend alike. Careful analysisshould enable us to determine basicmotives and it should prove helpful todiscuss all medical and health planningwith co-workers and with those who paythe bill. Either private practitioners,public health workers or the publicoperate under a distinct handicapwhen one group assumes that the othergroups are not equally unselfish andare working in opposition. All soundpublic health programs have been initiated,and are maintained, under theleadership of public spirited privatepractitioners. The few short-sighted