A Half-Century of American Medical Education: 1920-1970

Dr. Lippard, now a successful dean emeritus at Yale Medical School, has made a study of the half-century since he enrolled in medical school in 1924. From the Flexner period (1910-1920) to the modern "federal" period of medical education, his book briefly indicates the historical pathways without designating what he considers to be right or wrong choices of the good and bad people. Covering 12 major subjects in only 120 pages, leaves no space to explain some major forces as, for example, the full influence of the Veterans Administration on university medical centers; and raises important issues of good administration, economy, and utilization review. For the medical student, the author's brevity, gracious optimism, and avoidance of some nasty contemporary issues, will be helpful, while career educators and deans may be "underwhelmed." The best and longest chapter concerns revision of curriculum and all the popular tactics of reform are labeled for