‘Divided we fail’: understanding inter-relations and the role of the generalist

摘要

The Harveian Oration, an annual event at the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), was established by William Harvey in 1656. In October 2011, Iona Heath, President of the Royal College of General Practitioners, was invited to speak — the second GP ever to do so in over 350 years. We reflect here upon some of the important issues discussed within this oration, but also urge the reader to seek out and enjoy the original and inspiring text. At its centre is her invitation to expand our repertoire of care and kindness towards patients. Harvey determined the oration should be delivered on the Feast Day of St Luke’s (patron saint of the physician). Iona pays tribute to the relevance of St Luke’s gospel as a source of miracles and parables concerning healing, kindness, and concern for the poor: an approach this piece itself replicates.