Donald Madison, Michael McVaugh, and Timothy Miller continue in the discussion about the origins of institutional medical care, in terms of both recent and distant history. Does the concept of socialized medicine, for example, have precedents? When does the commercial impulse become part of health maintenance on a societal level? What is the role of philanthropy (with secular as well as religious motivations) in medical care? As it has evolved from ancient to modern times, how has the relationship between physicians and hospitals changed? What modifications in health care do doctors and historians of medicine foresee?
At the time of this interview, Madison was professor of social and administrative medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. McVaugh was professor of history at UNC-CH. Miller, a Fellow at the National Humanities Center (1982-83), was professor of history and political science at Salisbury State College.
This edition of Soundings was conducted by Wayne J. Pond.
