Patient education: a challenge to physicians

There is an increasing responsibility for the physician to participate in health care beyond the conventional doctor-patient relationships. The layman's ability to cope with health problems is directly proportional to his knowledge of the area. As physicians we must be prepared to provide leadership and cooperation in the area of community health education.A description of one suburban hospital's contribution to this area of patient education is presented. North York General Hospital prepared and delivered in the spring of 1972, a series of health forums for the public. These forums were intended to entertain as well as inform community members, on important health issues. Many alternative methods for public health education are available to the physician and hospital; positive action must be taken by the medical profession to improve liaison with the community.