Body of knowledge
Sir: I write to protest strongly against some assertions in the letter from G. Armstrong. under the above title, in your issue of 19 January. It is completely untrue of any teaching hospital with which I have been associated (and I have been teaching in Glasgow and Dundee for over twenty years) that patients who object to being taught on have ever had treatment denied or altered, or been discharged from care, on that account.
It is my practice to speak to patients before a teaching session and ask their permission, giving an indication of what is involved. Any refusal is respected, and I mean just that.
I think it is likely that most patients do not enjoy teaching, but nevertheless wish to participate. Much the most common response to my request is some variant of 'If it will help some other body' (Scottish sense of 'body'!) or 'You are doing something for me and I would like to help.'
I am not at all against sensible legislation to protect patients. The protection of the future patients of our present medical students would presumably be considered important in such legislation.
Your correspondent's remark of 'complete callousness' is grossly unfair. His 'contempt' I think is for both truth and the medical profession. James S. Frew 8 Richmond Terrace, Dundee
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