Hospital in London, Ont, and the other at the Calgary General ._~~~~~~.
Acknowledging the contribution of a founding member: Former Chief Examinerfor
the ...
VIEWPOINT
LETTERS-a-a-@@Acknowledging a "pioneer" in family medicine
To test or refer: what are the benefits?
have recently learned that Dr John B. Corley passed away' at his retirement home on Kiawah Island, SC, onJanuary 25, 1995. A founding member of the College of General Practice of Canada (former name of the College of Family Physicians of Canada), Dr Corley was a pioneer in the introduction and evolution of "academic" family medicine in both Canada and the United States. As a representative of the Alberta Chapter of the College, he was forceful and effective in the many national debates that led to a decision in 1965 to implement residency training programs leading to certification in family medicine. In 1966, when the College introduced its two experimental residency programs (one at St Joseph's Hospital in London, Ont, and the other at the Calgary General
ily medicine. We extend to his wife, Lidje, and the Corley family our
polio, a disease involving destruction of motor neurons of the anterior horn of the brainstem or spinal cord, has some obvious permanent and highly predictable sequelae. These include late onset of muscle pain, weakness, fatigue, dysphagia, choking episodes, and respiratory difficulty assumed to be due to dysfunction of surviving motor neurons with slow disintegration of axon terminals. These symptoms are commonly designated as "postpolio syndrome." In my view, there is absolutely nothing to be gained by subjecting these unfortunate individuals to a battery of tests as recommended by Dr Matheson.' Pulmonary function tests, electromyogram studies, regular creatine kinase studies, and referral to pulmonologists and other specialists are no substitute for calm explanation, common sense, and supportive care, quite apart from the costs involved. Only when the situation demands it, for example if intermittent positive pressure breathing or tracheostomy become necessary, should referrals be involved. Perhaps we should step back and ask ourselves what direct benefit accrues to patients from our everincreasing tendency to test and refer. Jonathan M.S. Standley, MD Kingston, Ont
deepest sympathy.
Reference
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Acknowledging the contribution of a founding member: Former Chief Examinerfor the College, Dr John Corley, died in January.
PIPP~~~~
Hospital) Dr Corley was appointed Director of the Calgary program. Dr Corley developed an interest in assessing and evaluating residency training, and in 1969, he was appointed Chief Examiner of the College's first examination in family medicine, a position he held until leaving for the United States in the early 1 970s to accept a position as Professor and Chief, Division of Evaluation, in the Department of Family Practice at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. In pursuit of his interests in evaluating residency training for family medicine and other disciplines, Dr Corley soon acquired a national and international reputation, and his services as a consultant were much in demand, well beyond his retirement in the mid- 1 980s. I know that Dr Corley's many friends and colleagues join me in acknowledging his contribution to the Colege of Family Physicians of Canada and to the discipline of fam-
Donald L Ricel, CM, MD -Former Executive Director, CFPC Willowdale, Ont
1. Matheson MJ. Practical tips on postpolio syndrome [Resources]. Can Fam Physician 1 995;41 :669-72. Canadian Family Physician VOL 41: August 1995 1289
