Observe, record, tabulate, communicate. Use your five senses. Learn to see, learn to hear, learn to feel, learn to smell, and know that by practice alone you can become expert.
William OslerRead
Now of the difficulties bound up with the public in which we doctors work, I hesitate to speak in a mixed audience. Common sense in matters medical is rare, and is usually in inverse ratio to the degree of education.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Medical knowledge often doesn't align with common sense, especially in educated audiences.
In this quote, William Osler reflects on the challenges faced by doctors when addressing a diverse audience about medical issues. He suggests that despite higher education, people often lack common sense regarding medical matters, which complicates public discussions and the communication of health information.
Themes
MedicalCommon SenseEducationCommunicationPublic Health
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be referenced in a medical conference to highlight the importance of clear communication with the public.
More from William Osler
All quotes →There is no more difficult art to acquire than the art of observation, and for some men it is quite as difficult to record an observation in brief and plain language.
William OslerRead
One of the first duties of the physician is to educate the masses not to take medicine.
William OslerRead
No bubble is so iridescent or floats longer than that blown by the successful teacher.
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The young physician starts life with 20 drugs for each disease, and the old physician ends life with one drug for 20 diseases.
William OslerRead
Let each hour of the day have its allotted duty, and cultivate that power of concentration which grows with its exercise.
William OslerRead
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