Flexnerian medicine
Encyclopedia
Flexnerian medicine refers to an era of modern medical practice that crystallized with the publication of the Flexner Report
in 1910. The Flexner Report criticized the loose standards of medical education that existed in the United States in the 19th century. The report also advocated the establishment of standards that were more strict and better supported by science.
Although the report provides the name for this period in medical history, it reflected an ongoing process that included the establishment of the American Medical Association
and the success of conventional modern medicine. These developments flourished at the expense of other, discredited schools of medical treatment such as homeopathic medicine
and hydropathic medicine.
The era of flexnerian medicine is still with us, although alternative schools of medical practice continued to emerge in the 20th century, including evidence-based medicine
and various forms of alternative medicine
.
Flexner Report
The Flexner Report is a book-length study of medical education in the United States and Canada, written by the professional educator Abraham Flexner and published in 1910 under the aegis of the Carnegie Foundation...
in 1910. The Flexner Report criticized the loose standards of medical education that existed in the United States in the 19th century. The report also advocated the establishment of standards that were more strict and better supported by science.
Although the report provides the name for this period in medical history, it reflected an ongoing process that included the establishment of the American Medical Association
American Medical Association
The American Medical Association , founded in 1847 and incorporated in 1897, is the largest association of medical doctors and medical students in the United States.-Scope and operations:...
and the success of conventional modern medicine. These developments flourished at the expense of other, discredited schools of medical treatment such as homeopathic medicine
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine in which practitioners claim to treat patients using highly diluted preparations that are believed to cause healthy people to exhibit symptoms that are similar to those exhibited by the patient...
and hydropathic medicine.
The era of flexnerian medicine is still with us, although alternative schools of medical practice continued to emerge in the 20th century, including evidence-based medicine
Evidence-based medicine
Evidence-based medicine or evidence-based practice aims to apply the best available evidence gained from the scientific method to clinical decision making. It seeks to assess the strength of evidence of the risks and benefits of treatments and diagnostic tests...
and various forms of alternative medicine
Alternative medicine
Alternative medicine is any healing practice, "that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine." It is based on historical or cultural traditions, rather than on scientific evidence....
.