Feature Articles: Preventive Medicine Associate Editor's Note:

Societal changes, consumer interests, media attention and, yes, managed care have brought a focus on preventive medicine heretofore unseen in modern medicine. For most of us as physicians, our basic knowledge and skill preparation have been challenged to understand and exercise an appropriate role in response. After all, medical school curricula in preventive medicine historically have been notoriously weak, and clinical residency training generally emphasizes only targeted clinical preventive interventions in a continuum of definitive illness and injury care management. But, is this really a new challenge? Hardly! Our AMA Constitution, "Article II Objectives" states the objectives of the Association and its members "are to promote the science and art of medicine and the betterment of public health."¹ This theme has existed since the first mission statement was penned over one hundred and fifty years ago. This month's issue of Jacksonville Medicine is our most recent step in bringing to our professional community a better understanding of the totality of preventive and population based medicine as a distinct area of specialization.

Created in 1948 as the American Board of Public Health, and emanating from the recommendations of a joint committee of the AMA and APHA, the specialty of Public Health was formally recognized by the AMA and the Board accepted it into the American Board of Medical Specialties in 1949. The name was extended to Aerospace Medicine; in 1953, Occupational Medicine was added in 1955, and General Preventive Medicine was included in 1960. In 1989, subspecialty certificates were approved in Undersea Medicine, and in 1992 Medical Toxicology was approved. These seemingly diverse areas of interest are all tied together by their common commitment to focusing on the "health of individuals and defined populations in order to protect, promote, and maintain health and well-being and prevent disease, disability and premature death."² Currently, preventive medicine training entails a three-year residency and an additional practice year in the are of specialization. To date, over 7500 specialists have been certified. This dynamic and growing field has its roots in Epidemiology and biostatistics and its forte is population-based medicine. Whether serving a broad, complex and general population or one defined specifically by the environment, each individual benefits from the trained professionals' care and attention of the group. This month we present to you an overview of some of the work being done by our colleagues who have embarked on this path less followed.

References

1. AMA Policy Compendium, 1997 Edition

2. ABPM Booklet of information, Revised February, 1997

Daniel B Lestage, M.D., MPH, is Vice-President with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida
Past-President of the Aerospace Medical Association, and the Florida Society for Preventive Medicine;
Past Trustee of the American Board of Preventive Medicine;
Associate Editor, Jacksonville Medicine

June, 1998/ Jacksonville Medicine

What's New · Northeast Florida Medicine Journal · Know Your Physician · Legal & Legislative
· DCMS Alliance · Academy of Medicine · Member Websites · Community Health
About the DCMS · Meetings Calendar · Member Benefits · Employment Connection · Home

Duval County Medical Society   ·   555 Bishopgate Lane  ·   Jacksonville, FL  32204
Phone: (904) 355-6561   ·     FAX:  (904) 353-5848   
General Email: dcms@dcmsonline.org    ·   Webmaster's Email: mdoran@dcmsonline.org
Privacy Policy and Disclaimers