Progressivism: Medical Professionalism


During the progressive era, the medical world was transformed by new ideas, and regulations. The process of becoming a doctor completely changed as medical education was transformed into a new system that is used today. Modern medicine is something that builds up and changes over time. During this progressive period major inventions and discoveries were made that transformed the Medical world. On of the greatest landmarks in the development of modern drugs was Sir Alexander Fleming’s discovery of Penicillin in 1928. Penicillin came from his main discovery of a lysozyme that could dissolve living bacteria. A major medical technologic advancement was Wilhelm Konrad Roentgen’s invention of the X-ray. Many inventions were created that lead to greater tools later on. The ether Inhaler was invented in 1846, which later resulted in modern anesthesia. The invention was a great success and was dispersed throughout almost all hospitals.

Throughout history up to the beginning of the Progressive era, people would self proclaim themselves with their own elaborate ideas of what it meant to be a doctor. People used the profession as a way to advance their social status and gain more respect from others. Many of the people chose this profession not because they were interested in physiology and anatomy of the body, but because they wanted to advance their social status. During the progressive era, the cultures and values of medicine were changing.

The government became involved in the medical world in the mid 19th century. In 1847 the American Medical Association was established in Philadelphia. One of their main goals was and still is to have a positive impact on medical education and training.   In 1858, they established the General medical Council and the Medical Register which was a list that kept up with all practicing medical practitioners.

The changes in the medical curriculum and requirements is what changed the Medical world the most. In 1983 Johns Hopkins Medical school opened and was the role model for other medical schools around the country. The first schools with lasting reforms were Harvard, Johns Hopskins, and University of Michigan with programs of three years. The schools began pushing a new medical curriculum with special science classes and medical scientist professors.

What pushed the change in medical “professionalization” was the revolutionized education. After the Civil war, medical educators came to the conclusion that they didn’t want memorizers, the wanted critical thinking learners that were problem solvers. Professors began pushing self education, and learning by doing. Students began learning by being involved in research studies and other hands on activities, as opposed to just watching. This became known as “progressive education”.

The profession became much more sophisticated as education not only changed, but became more demanding and tough. Professors were required to be researchers, and students studying to be doctors were placed in the highest level of learning. Between 1985 and 1925(the progressive era) the revelation occurred that implemented the new teaching methods. The process was extremely costly due to the needs of money, new laboratories, an army of full-time faculty, and clinical facilities. It was also difficult because they had to push hospitals to agree to work with medical programs.

Towards the end of the progressive era, medical schooling began requiring more years of school. By the end of the 1920s an internship after schooling was required. The first residency was introduced at Johns Hopskins University in 1889, and a college degree was required. By the 1930s residency was a crucial part of becoming a doctor. This transformed education that emerged from progressivism is still followed in today's medical world.






Johns Hopkins Medical Staff Johns Hopkins University in early 1900s


Discovery of Penicillin


xray studies

Ethel Inhaler- Museum of American History

Works Cited:

Sigerist, Henry E. A History of Medicine. New York: Oxford U, 1951. Print.

"Medical Education." Dictionary of American History. 2003, JUANITA F. BUFORD, and "Medical Education." American Eras. 1997. "Medical Education." Encyclopedia.com. HighBeam Research, 01 Jan. 2003. Web. 01 Mar. 2016.

"The Founding of the AMA." The Founding of the AMA. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Mar. 2016.

"Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine." The Making of the Medical Profession (. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Mar. 2016.

Primary Source-
artifact- 1846- a Ether Inhaler made by William T.G. Morton