The Open Door

The incredibly rich tapestry of medicine can never be finished. In every generation, new patterns of service develop, as clinical observations and scientific discoveries change diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. But many other forces affect the ancient profession of medicine: Politics, economics, art and culture, and the expectations made possible in an era of instant communications are but a few of the potent factors rarely considered in the traditional medical school curriculum. The Distinguished International Lecture Series at The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland offered an innovative emphasis on the interrelationships of health, foreign policy, and the arts, of mutual lessons learned when diplomats and statesmen, poets, painters, and actors shared their insights, and observed how much they have gained from contact with the healing arts. This book presents the reflections of a remarkable group of world leaders who discuss their own efforts for world peace and reconciliation, efforts that demonstrate the common ground we all seek, regardless of the disciplines and professions that normally identify us. It is a book where artificial barriers are broken, and new horizons emerge.