Professional liability in the 1980s: problems and solutions.

AI the first Convocation of the American College of Surgeons in 1913, President John M.T. Finney said in his Presidential Address : "The history of surgery in the United States and Canada is opened to a new page. When at some future time the historian comes to write 011 that page the record of events that have led up to this meeting, he will there record the taking of another step in the progress of medicine in general and of surgery in particular in Canada and the United States. What is consummated here tonight is destined to produce a deep and lasting impression upon medical progress not alone in those countries but indirectly the world over."l In his Presidential Address in 1954, my chief, Alfred Blalock, to whom I owe so much , emphasized the common feature that binds us. He said: " All physicians-whether active practitioners, teachers, investigators or administrators-have a single common objective which unites us all. This is the wcl fare of the sick. "2 The American College of Surgeons has traditionally been committed 10 excellence in patient care and to continuing education. Tn the opinion of observers worldwide, thc quality of the annua l Clinica l Congress has risen to the rank of first place. The expanding edge of scientific knowledge is revealed in the research papers presented by our bright young surgeons at the sessions of the Forum on FundllmenIal Surgical Problems. Updates on all important aspects of surgery and the surgical specialties are presented in the various postgraduate courses each year. Topics deserving special emphasis are presented at the general scssions by panels representing different points of view, lind the lIudiovisual presentations illustrate the newer surgical teChniques. All members of the College have an obligation to honor and maintain this tradition in the future. Tn addition 10 its strong emphasis on education and patient Cllre, the College has also been interested in a number of socioeconomic issues in the broad field of health care. At its recent retreat, the Board of Regents considered seven such topics and prepared position papers concerning each . In its final conclusion, the report stated: "Of 1111 the socioeconomic issues facing the surgical profession , Ihal nf professional liability most urgently calls for resolute lIcIinn by the College. The College is UII-