THE VALUE OF STAFF CONFERENCES IN STATE HOSPITALS

Abstract

Staff conferences, essentially medical in character, have been in operation in the various State hospitals of New York State since the year 1905, as required by law. The introduction and adoption of newer methods of clinical study, shortly before this period, dearly emphasized the need of more uniform and concerted action on the part of hospital staffs with reference to the study of the mental and physical condition of those admitted for care and treatment. Previously, some of the hospitals had, for some time, held more or less regular meetings, but they were pre-eminently for administrative purposes. Staff meetings, fortunately for all concerned, have now become medical clearing houses, and have been of value in proportion to the interest manifested by the individuals taking part in the work. Cases have become common property and experience consequently widened. The former methods, whereby, largely through heresy, or on account of unusual interest, only a few came before the staff, have been corrected as far as possible. There are obvious reasons why the entire staff should share in the results of every examination that has been made by another. Clinical work is better for having been scrutinized and passed upon in a formal way rather than casually brought to notice. The facts of the history, the mental and physical findings and the patient are presented. All are considered with the view of giving full value to the diagnostic points. The impressions thus made are less likely to lose their force or fail to be of help in the study and observation of future cases. It is not to be forgotten that purely physical questions should receive their share of attention in relation to psychoses.