Doctors' Work: The Legacy of Sir William Osler

This is a photographic tribute to the man who changed the practice of medicine. A little over 100 years ago, becoming a doctor was dangerously easy. Admission requirements for training were low and the MD was automatically given after the second term, regardless of the student's academic performance. Teaching was by lecture alone, and a student could graduate without ever seeing a patient. William Osler (1849-1919) worked tirelessly to change medical schools from trade schools into intellectually demanding academic institutions. He founded the Department of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University and later became a professor emeritus of medicine at Oxford University. He revolutionized medical schools and redefined the physician-patient relationship. A biographical profile of Osler is followed by photographs of physicians, nurses and medical technicians at work, capturing the compassion and dedication of front-line healthcare professionals.