Medical Department by L. A. HANSEN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 19, 1913

Medical Department

By L. A. HANSEN

A quadrennial report of our Medical Department at this time cannot be a representative one. It cannot fully state what has been accomplished the past four years, nor can it be a correct indication of what could be done under normal conditions. Since our last General Conference session, circumstances have necessitated changes, and three different men who have acted as medical secretaries in that time have been called to fill other positions. For much of the time no one has been in full charge of the department, and this is the situation at the opening of this Conference.

It is an easy matter to make the statement that we have sixty-nine sanitariums, but the fact that we can say this is cause for serious thought. As we think of what it would mean to any denomination, and what it meant to ours at first, to establish one sanitarium, it is difficult to comprehend all that is involved in this great increase of these institutions. Forty of them are operated by conferences, and twenty-nine are under private management. Besides this, there are thirty-five city treatment establishments, some of which do a volume of work equal to that of a fair-sized sanitarium. These hundred or more institutions represent a large investment of money, the employment of many people, the use of much talent, and the expenditure of a great deal of energy. What should we not expect from all this?

The present investment in sanitarium property is $4,141,316.23, nearly a quarter of a million dollars more than the combined value of all our publishing houses, intermediate schools, academies, and colleges, counting conference and private institutions in both instances. It may be said by some that this is an overinvestment in sanitariums; but, be it as it may, it indicates the interest that has been shown by our people in this phase of work, and what we have been able to do in its establishment. It also suggests the importance of our safeguarding this large investment by judicious management and by an attitude that will encourage and strengthen this work.

There are now connected with our sanitariums 117 physicians, 1,135 nurses, and 945 other workers, making a total of 2,197 employees. These workers are our own people, engaged in work that is more or less in the interest of the advancement of our cause, including public lectures and sermons, Bible readings, circulation of literature, personal missionary work, and so forth. This work does not appear in conference reports, nor is it done at conference expense. It should be regarded as a wonderful advantage that such a large branch of our cause can be a true missionary work and at the same time a self-supporting one.

With a conservative estimate, we note that our sanitarium workers are receiving in wages over one million dollars a year, the whole of which is received by the patronage of the institutions.

This gives a tithe of one hundred thousand dollars, to which may be added gifts and offerings, coming into our denominational treasuries, helping to support the cause. Thus our medical work gives self-supporting employment to a large number of Sabbath-keeping people, who may engage in a definite missionary work and help to advance other interests of the cause. These figures take no account of many physicians and nurses engaged in private field work, who are more or less the product of our sanitariums, and whose labors and means help to advance the message.

The number of people reached by our sanitariums makes one of the most important features of this work. Here are figures showing the number of sanitarium patients for the past four years:— 1909 ................ 23,737 1910 ................ 33,127 1911 ................ 26,359 1912 ................ 28,960 Total ............. 112,183

Let us not give these figures a mere passing thought; for they indicate in a measure what is being done through our system of sanitariums. We have an average of over twenty-eight thousand people a year visiting these institutions, staying an average of five weeks each. Their association with our work and workers gives opportunity of securing considerable information concerning our message and its progress. They attend services, read our literature, and engage in personal conversation with helpers, and some of them are led to a full acceptance of the truth. Many others are at least favorably impressed, and after leaving the institution, help to spread its influence. Some of our patients are persons of high prominence, in position to give substantial assistance to our cause. Many legislators are reported as patients, and a number of them have given assurance of support when needed in meeting religious legislation.

It would be an interesting thing to know how much effort and expense would be required to reach twenty-eight thousand people for a period of five weeks through our tent and hall meetings. We well know that this number includes many persons who otherwise would probably never come in contact with our work in so favorable a manner. Thus, our sanitarium work is really an evangelical factor. If we ask, Why are not more definite results in actual Sabbath-keepers seen? let us remember that sanitariums are not designed to be proselyting in their work. They have a distinct sphere, which, while it may not be directly that of making religious converts, is strong in spiritual influence.

The nurses' training-school feature of our sanitarium work deserves special mention. Most of the 1,135 nurses employed are students in training. They are being educated as workers for field or institutional service. Careful study leads many of our sanitarium leaders to the conclusion that this feature is a heavy expense to the institution, rather than a financial advantage. Nurses receive board, room, laundry work, and tuition; and, in the second and third years, and in some instances in the first year, they receive a cash allowance. One sanitarium reports about $325 paid for the second and third years' work, besides the items of expense mentioned. Nurses give in return their services, which are not always such as fully to compensate the institution for its outlay. It is estimated that the total value of this educational work is now over $160,000 a year. Whatever loss is sustained, which is thought by some to be half of this amount, is a loss to the sanitariums. While this is entirely a denominational work, it is done without cost to the denomination, either as conferences or as individuals.

Thus far our statistics deal principally with sanitariums. There is another feature of our medical work that demands more than a passing notice. The number of treatment-rooms is yearly increasing. These are owned and operated almost wholly by private individuals. They are most generally successful from a financial standpoint, and when properly conducted, exert an excellent influence. Some of them are of most substantial help to local conference work. Some work in close affiliation with near-by sanitariums, to the mutual help of all concerned. Those conducting these enterprises deserve commendation for their well-spent energies in self-supporting work. Those of our brethren who are in position to do so should show an interest in their work, and, by proper moral support, fostering care, and good counsel, add strength to it. This is probably one of the most practicable ways of doing medical work in our cities, both as to financial support and good results. A wide field with favorable inducement is here offered to those who are seeking openings of this kind and who can properly fill them.

Our figures for treatment-rooms are not complete. There are 27 in this country and 8 in foreign countries, with a total value of $113,184.10. They have a daily capacity of 880 patients. Last year they gave 20,415 treatments, doing $6,659.60 worth of charity work. There are 162 persons employed in these treatment-rooms.

Thus far we have spoken only of institutional work. The work of our medical missionaries in the field service must be remembered, representing, as it does, one of the most important phases of our entire medical work. We have no statistics, however, to present, and no report to make. Doubtless this matter will appear in the reports from various fields.

The report of our medical college at Loma Linda, Cal., will be given by others, as will no doubt also that of our postgraduate course for nurses connected with the Foreign Mission Seminary and Washington Sanitarium Dispensary. These two additional forces to our medical educational work should mark an epoch of much meaning for advanced medical missionary endeavor. Let us not view our special advantages with matter-of-fact vision, but see in their increased opportunity an added responsibility to make the wisest use of the same.

Much of the work of our department recently has been to give assistance in securing suitable workers to meet various calls and to put persons wanting employment in touch with openings. Careful inquiry has been made to ascertain the fitness and qualifications of individuals, and action taken accordingly. We have reason to believe that considerable satisfactory service has been rendered in this way. This feature may be further developed and be of much value.

Among the things that should be given attention in connection with this department is, first and most urgently, the appointment of a capable and permanent medical secretary. The reasons for this are too numerous to mention, and too obvious to need mentioning.

A more complete organization of our medical work will, of course, help to develop its efficiency. Some important questions arise for consideration and attention. We should develop further plans and methods for reaching the public effectively. The possibilities of our engaging more in temperance campaigns might well be considered. Better education of our own people in rational and intelligent health principles is needed. Better provision should be made for safeguarding the health of those who go to foreign fields by proper instruction. Our training-schools for nurses need consideration, with a view to strengthening their work, possibly setting a standard of what shall constitute a recognized course of training, and then confining this work to such institutions as can properly give it. The development of real medical missionaries, both physicians and nurses, is a most important matter, and should have careful study soon. Considerable demand is expressed for workers who are trained in practical household economy, who can go into homes and teach such things as are most needed. The demand for educated cooks is greater than the supply. Plans for the development and wider circulation of our health literature are needed. We still need to learn how to make the best use of our medical facilities and advantages in connection with other lines of our work. The relation we should sustain to private medical work requires careful attention.

It is highly important that the immense business interests involved in the operation of our sanitariums be carefully studied, in order to reach the most economical management consistent with good service. This phase of the work is of such magnitude as to demand special consideration. Our system of sanitariums should have careful organization for closer cooperation and more uniform administration. Some effort should be made to secure uniformity in rates, service, remuneration of workers, etc. Possibly central purchasing agencies can be established to mutual advantage.

These questions and many others offer a wide field of usefulness to our medical department. It should be one of the most useful departments of our administrative work. May God grant it shall fill its place.

L. A. HANSEN, Assistant Secretary.