Guest guest Posted July 17, 2003 Report Share Posted July 17, 2003 Jim suggests an interesting question: asking prospective DAOM candidates how many books on CM & acupuncture they have read. I believe what Jim is getting at is that all too few of our graduates are active continuing students and readers within this field. Recently, this has been a big discussion at Blue Poppy. What percentage of graduates go on to continuously buy and read books on acupuncture and CM? Based on Blue Poppy Press sales figures, I would say only a small percentage of graduates go on to be active continuing education readers and book-buyers. By active, I mean 5-7 or more books per year. By small percentage, I'd put the number at 10% or less. Further, the books which do sell best are typically the simplest reads offering the most cookbook approaches. (Please don't ask me to name names.) Our general manager has been running the numbers on copies of individual books sold over the last one year period. He's lobbying for discontinuing the sale of any titles not selling at least 100 copies per year. Almost all of our Great Masters series fail to meet this requirement. The number 100 has to do with POD (print on demand) economics and capablities. This means Blue Poppy Press will probably be letting a number of titles go out of print as current inventories sell out. Although these books will still be available in e-book form (such as through Net Library) for serious researchers, they will not be available in hardcopy. From where I sit, it seems that books have one main chance to sell within this niche market and that is if they are required as textbooks in entry-level education. Books that are not required or seriously recommended tend to languish in publisher's limbo no matter how good they are. It is ironic that students and practitioners are always repeating the sibboleth about how we need to get back to the " real " Chinese medicine embodied in the classics. However, when those classics are offered for sale in English, people do not buy them. As a for instance, only 31 copies of the Jia Yi Jing sold during all of 2002. So there seems to be a big disconnect between what many people say and what people actually support with their pocketbooks. (Duh.) As the total number of books in English on Chinese medicine continues to rise, it means that publishers can expect a decreasing piece of the pie for any one title. Because the total market size is not increasing as fast as many people once assumed (due to attrition), this makes publishing books for this market less and less financially attractive and especially books which target slower selling niches within this overall niche, such as the classics. It also makes it less attractive to sink a lot of time and money into the creation of high quality books which then must compete with lower quality imports. I've said it before and I'll say it again: As long as the schools keep doing things the way they are doing them (as described by recent CHA posts from current students), this situation isn't going to change. If you keep doing what you're doing, you keep getting what you're currently getting: too many ignorant teachers teaching too many lazy, intellectually stunted students. Bob , " James Ramholz " <jramholz> wrote: > , > > I think we may have to develop a separate PhD program in TCM > that will meet the needs of scholars, reserachers and translators. > Because the DAOM is designed mainly to produce specialty clinicians > and it will not be able to meet these other needs, IMO, whatever its > stated goals. However, with skillful use of technology, 10 credits > at PCOM could result in some functional access to some chinese > medical literature. >>> > > : > > As part of their application to the DAOM, you should ask people how > many books from the acupuncture and herb sections of the Redwing > catalog they have bought and read! > > > Jim Ramholz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2003 Report Share Posted July 17, 2003 , " Bob Flaws " < pemachophel2001> wrote: So there seems to be a big disconnect between what many people > say and what people actually support with their pocketbooks. (Duh.) many of those who whine about TCM and bemoan the loss of " classical CM " are actually whining about having to study. while we have serious scholars in this field, many are just looking for an excuse to not study at all. face it, we have a largely anti intellectual profession, many of whom have somehow gotten the idea that classical CM is based upon qi gong practice, intention and intuition, the latter 2 being ill defined terms that do not actually seem to appear in CM literature I have read. So when they say they want it classical, they are saying they do not want to study. the irony being that true classical CM was much more of an intellectual study than the modern version ever purported to be. quite a few students who whine about the dominance of herbology over acupuncture at certain schools claim they were deceived at admissions, being told whatever they wanted to hear, but not being told that TCM is herbology and reading is fundamental to the task. I think people hear what they want to hear, then look for scapegoats later, but whatever ... The fact is that many of the students should be studying something or somewhere else whether they were self deceived or actively deceived. Either way, TCM has always been about herbology and reading and if that is not what you want to do, then you don't belong here. We can't change what TCM is to suit one's proclivities, which is a point Rory made a month back. but if we are going to continue to allow people to become L.Ac.'s with 1900 hours of acupuncture only in some states, then we must recognize that we are talking about a lower level of practitioner here. It is my understanding that those who solely practice acupuncture have not typically been considered doctors in ancient china. In modern japan, acupuncturists are legally defined in a way that is more akin to massage. Arguably, acupuncture is merely a sophisticated form of bodywork and should be regulated as such for those who practice it solo. In fact, many such practitioners integrate other forms of bodywork heavily into their practices, while many herbalists are more drawn to other forms of internal med (vitamins, western herbs, even drugs, etc.). but if there is a heavy contingent of would be acupuncturists who are not seriously interested in herbology (which is most students, IMO), is this not more reason to have a multi-tiered profession. Or should we just shut out those who would be bodyworkers or shrinks instead of physicians? And force everyone to reach the DAOM level. Personally I wouldn't mind be a DAOM, owning a clinic, hiring a few acus and letting them do the bodywork. If I could find acus who only spent 15-20 grand to go to school, I could pay them a living wage, give my patients fair prices and make a profit myself. If many acus are practicing safely at essentially this level already, why shouldn't this lower tier continue to exist indefinitely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2003 Report Share Posted July 17, 2003 At 3:11 PM +0000 7/17/03, Bob Flaws wrote: As a for instance, only 31 copies of the Jia Yi Jing sold during all of 2002. -- Bob, Coincidentally, this morning I ordered a copy of the Jia Yi Jing. It's very sad that books like this cannot remain in print. I know at least colleague who uses Jia Yi Jing as a recommended text. I must point out however that it's a rather expensive book to require students to buy, when it is one amongst several for the class, so students who bother with the readings probably use the library edition. Perhaps if it had been paperbound it would have had a more successful life. Even so, for books of this intrinsic value, would it not be possible for Blue Poppy to print up 100 copies, or whatever number makes sense, each time it goes out of print. I realize the economic issues involved, but in my estimation Blue Poppy Press has gained a special credibility for having brought classic and important early literature to the English language market. Is it really not viable to do this for a selected list of books? If you (BP) were to do this, and perhaps design some CE materials around these materials, that might enhance their market justification. Rory -- naive idealist that I am -- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2003 Report Share Posted July 17, 2003 Bob Flaws [pemachophel2001] wrote: >He's lobbying for discontinuing the >sale of any titles not selling at least 100 copies >per year. Almost all of our Great Masters series fail >to meet this requirement. The number 100 has to do >with POD (print on demand) economics and capablities. >This means Blue Poppy Press will probably be letting >a number of titles go out of print as current inventories >sell out. Why not print the out of print titles in manuscript form like Subhuti does (Bag of Pearls)? This would keep costs to a minimum, and would allow titles to stay alive. I’m sure most of us would prefer a traditionally bound text, however no one profits when a book completely disappears from the shelves, except I suppose eBay. -Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2003 Report Share Posted July 17, 2003 " If many acus are practicing safely at essentially this level already, why shouldn't this lower tier continue to exist indefinitely? " No complaint from me. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2003 Report Share Posted July 17, 2003 Rory, > Even so, for books of this intrinsic value, would it not be possible > for Blue Poppy to print up 100 copies, or whatever number makes > sense, each time it goes out of print? Printing less than 100 books even POD is not economically feasible, nor is storing and paying tax and insurance on books that sit in a warehouse for more than a year. > perhaps design some CE materials > around these materials, that might enhance their market justification. > Interesting idea, that last one. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2003 Report Share Posted July 17, 2003 why not print together 2 or 3 classics in one volume? ______________ The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2003 Report Share Posted July 17, 2003 What is a good selling book numbers per year? Alon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2003 Report Share Posted July 17, 2003 , " Bob Flaws " <pemachophel2001> wrote: > Jim suggests an interesting question: asking prospective DAOM > candidates how many books on CM & acupuncture they have read. I > believe what Jim is getting at is that all too few of our graduates are active continuing students and readers within this field. >>> Bob: Exactly. Thanks for your post about the publishing end of the business. It's reassuring to know that you're committed to having the less popular books still be available through books on demand or electronic format. The profession owes you a thanks for that. Practitioners who haven't bought at least the 7 books a year, should not be allowed to post on the CHA, either. Jim Ramholz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2003 Report Share Posted July 17, 2003 Jim Ramholz: Practitioners who haven't bought at least the 7 books a year, should not be allowed to post on the CHA, either. Well, how nice that you guys can afford all those books. Those big ones, like the new Shang Han Lun, are expensive (I did buy it anyway). I'm reading 7-10 books a year: buying maybe 4, and the rest (plus numerous articles) I read from the library. Lucky me, to have a library nearby with those particular books. However much I would like to support publishers like Bob Flaws, the financial realities differ. Just because people can't afford (hopefully only temporarily) to shell it out, doesn't mean they're not reading or that they are " lesser " practitioners. May Heaven's blessings of prosperity shine upon us all. Pat ============================================================================== NOTE: The information in this email is confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not read, use or disseminate the information. Although this email and any attachments are believed to be free of any virus or other defect that might affect any computer system into which it is received and opened, it is the responsibility of the recipient to ensure that it is virus free and no responsibility is accepted by Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP for any loss or damage arising in any way from its use. ============================================================================== Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2003 Report Share Posted July 17, 2003 , " Bob Flaws " wrote: > perhaps design some CE materials > > around these materials, that might enhance their market > justification. > > > Interesting idea, that last one. Bob: I may have misread your last post. I hope you will continue to make the old texts available, if not through POD, then in some sort of electronic format such as a PDF file or searchable Web library (you could charge for subscription). You can scan a book into Adobe Acrobat directly t make it a PDF file, and assign various security levels. It should be economically attactive to BP. Andy Ellis and Deadman have titles in PDF format. Jim Ramholz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2003 Report Share Posted July 17, 2003 Dear Bob, From my own recent experience as a student and graduate, your concerns about students not reading sufficiently after graduation is spot on! This extends to periods of actual study as well........so many students want as little reading as possible in a succinct format with the aim of only having to learn that material to pass the exams, graduate and make money with a “cool” medicine. Personally, both through my student years (official student years....I believe I will always remain a student of TCM) I know I purchased and read more texts than anyone else in my course. Rather than spend my spare cash on cool clothes and bar nights, I bought frighteningly expensive Chinese medicine texts. Did this help me in my university studies as far as passing exams is concerned? Well, unfortunately I can not say it did.......in fact, I would say it was slightly detrimental in this area. Has it helped me become a better practitioner or a better human being? CERTAINLY!!! I continue to read and purchase texts at a what my family feels is at a slightly obsessive rate. But I know that the majority of my fellow graduates would be lucky to have bought a single text after graduation, especially other than what you rightly call a “Cookbook” or what I would call “how to treat any pain in ten minutes” type of text. To me, and I am sure most on this list this is a tragic and frightening situation. At the university I studied this situation is dramatically improving as demand for places has exponentially increased in recent years (only 25 places are on offer) which has resulted in required entry scores approaching that of biomedicine and more meaningful selection interviews. This has led to the students being admitted being both more intellectually gifted, dedicated and serious about study and healthcare. Places are no longer available for those who are just “interested” or bored. Personally, I would just like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your efforts in translating and publishing a invaluable resource of TCM in English for those of us who are dedicated to being the best we can be as physicians and students for life!!!! I sincerely hope that economic realities have as little affect as possible on the availability of your generous contribution to native English speaking TCM practitioners. Sincerely, Steve (a student for life) On 18/7/03 1:11 AM, " Bob Flaws " <pemachophel2001 wrote: Jim suggests an interesting question: asking prospective DAOM candidates how many books on CM & acupuncture they have read. I believe what Jim is getting at is that all too few of our graduates are active continuing students and readers within this field. Recently, this has been a big discussion at Blue Poppy. What percentage of graduates go on to continuously buy and read books on acupuncture and CM? Based on Blue Poppy Press sales figures, I would say only a small percentage of graduates go on to be active continuing education readers and book-buyers. By active, I mean 5-7 or more books per year. By small percentage, I'd put the number at 10% or less. Further, the books which do sell best are typically the simplest reads offering the most cookbook approaches. (Please don't ask me to name names.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2003 Report Share Posted July 17, 2003 Bob, In the mid-80's, Redwing Books did a poll and concluded that perhaps 15% of graduates continued to study and buy books after graduation. Now, your poll 17 years later shows things haven't improved very much percentage-wise, if at all. Of course, the numbers of practitioners are greater, so 10% of a larger number of practitioners should add up to a mildly improved market. However, it seems increased competition (including lower quality imports, as you mentioned) and political decisions by licensing boards and colleges has curtailed that growth to a large degree. So I am concerned about the economics for Blue Poppy, Redwing and Eastland Press in putting out high quality texts, especially classical ones. What is the point if an insufficient number of practitioners and students are buying them? It also forces teacher/practitioners like myself to consider the returns on the hard work of writing and putting out books. It is sobering to think that things haven't improved in terms of continuing study by graduates of CM colleges. With these types of numbers, it implies that the best the profession can hope for is a second-tier Chinese type of physical therapist status. I'd like to hear feedback from other publishers and writers as well on this list. On Thursday, July 17, 2003, at 08:11 AM, Bob Flaws wrote: > Recently, this has been a big discussion at Blue Poppy. What > percentage of graduates go on to continuously buy and read books on > acupuncture and CM? Based on Blue Poppy Press sales figures, I would > say only a small percentage of graduates go on to be active continuing > education readers and book-buyers. By active, I mean 5-7 or more books > per year. By small percentage, I'd put the number at 10% or less. > Further, the books which do sell best are typically the simplest reads > offering the most cookbook approaches. (Please don't ask me to name > names.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2003 Report Share Posted July 17, 2003 In a message dated 7/17/2003 5:07:26 PM Pacific Daylight Time, dragonslive writes: Personally, both through my student years (official student years....I believe I will always remain a student of TCM) I know I purchased and read more texts than anyone else in my course. Rather than spend my spare cash on cool clothes and bar nights, I bought frighteningly expensive Chinese medicine texts. Did this help me in my university studies as far as passing exams is concerned? Well, unfortunately I can not say it did.......in fact, I would say it was slightly detrimental in this area. Has it helped me become a better practitioner or a better human being? CERTAINLY!!! Steve - you are in the top 5% range of dedicated academically focused practitioners. That said -- the emerging awareness for the need of lifelong learning as a competence is just now occurring for most institutions. It is clearly defined in the American College of Graduate Medical Education, in addition, the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is grappling with this notion. Not only that, but the turn-of-the-century physician-educator William Osler stated in paraphrase 'we cannot hope to train them in everything they need to know to enter practice, the best we can hope for is to encourage a desire for lifelong learning.' It will probably be a few more accreditation cycles that are 2-5 years each for this idea of life long learning to hit the streets as a reality for our profession. Even then, you can lead a horse to water... Will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2003 Report Share Posted July 17, 2003 In the mid-80's, Redwing Books did a poll and concluded that perhaps 15% of graduates continued to study and buy books after graduation. >>>That is very sad Alon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2003 Report Share Posted July 17, 2003 The general census seems to be that a small minority of graduates continue with self education. Perhaps too many people with what I would call the “wrong intentions” or individuals who are not suited to the lifelong commitment TCM requires are being admitted to and graduating from schools with a free licence to treat sick people with their limited and stagnant version of TCM. This must ultimately affect upon all of us as such practitioners and will result in a less than highly respected public opinion on Chinese medicine in general. This is of great concern to me. Are the current CPE requirements enough to ensure continued growth in the abilities and knowledge of practitioners who lack the desire and love for an endless cycle of learning and insight into the depths of Chinese medicine? Perhaps I am being overly harsh or judgemental? Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2003 Report Share Posted July 17, 2003 Alon, , " Alon Marcus " <alonmarcus@w...> wrote: > In the mid-80's, Redwing Books did a poll and concluded that perhaps > 15% of graduates continued to study and buy books after graduation. > >>>That is very sad > Alon It's more than sad. It's tragic. And it's one of the reasons why I have taken such an uncompromising position on topics like language and literacy. One of the natural results of forcing... yes, folks, you read that right, FORCING students to acquire language skills and access to the literature, is that it will tend to raise this percentage and to therefore increase the level of knowledge and skill among members of the profession. People who learn to read tend to read. Conversely, people who are not taught to read learn that it is not important to read and therefore tend not to read. It is really very simple. Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2003 Report Share Posted July 17, 2003 , " " wrote: > I'd like to hear feedback from other publishers and writers as well on this list. >>> Z'ev: Those of us who teach should make an effort to include and require at least one book other than the required text for any class. Student whining be damned. Jim Ramholz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2003 Report Share Posted July 17, 2003 Though I am in Indonesia , Southeasr asia, I still buy books from Bluepoppy because I want to know the westerners point of view. I even ask a favour from a friend who wants to go to USA to buy Unschuld,s books. regards, yudono. -"Alon Marcus" Thu, 17 Jul 2003 20:05:07 -0500Re: CM books & continuing education In the mid-80's, Redwing Books did a poll and concluded that perhaps 15% of graduates continued to study and buy books after graduation. >>>That is very sad AlonChinese Herbal Medicine, a voluntary organization of licensed healthcare practitioners, matriculated students and postgraduate academics specializing in Chinese Herbal Medicine, provides a variety of professional services, including board approved online continuing education. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 18, 2003 Report Share Posted July 18, 2003 Good suggestion, and I'm known for emptying my students' pockets on books . No, I just inspire them to get lots of books, I don't push it. On Thursday, July 17, 2003, at 08:40 PM, James Ramholz wrote: > Z'ev: > > Those of us who teach should make an effort to include and require > at least one book other than the required text for any class. > Student whining be damned. > > > Jim Ramholz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 18, 2003 Report Share Posted July 18, 2003 Jim Ramholz: Practitioners who haven't bought at least the 7 books a year, should not be allowed to post on the CHA, either. Well, how nice that you guys can afford all those books.... Just because people can't afford (hopefully only temporarily) to shell it out, doesn't mean they're not reading or that they are " lesser " practitioners. May Heaven's blessings of prosperity shine upon us all. Pat pat, ditto. since i moved away from school library, i have purchased more books. i remember one series that another student talked me out of buying and just reading library copies. i still wish i had that series. but often, libraries can be budget savers! i really appreciate the free and inexpensive research articles available online [thanks, bob flaws et al!]. for older books and classics, amazon's used books can be great finds. pity that only 15% of graduates continue to purchase books, yes. i have a challenge: will someone post a basics list of classics that one Must own and read? i wonder if i have ever had a sufficiently complete list. i am not trying to depress anyone, but i feel compelled to mention that i got through acupuncture school sans ever reading the nei ching, and too many other classics. they were simply never required, and i did not know enough to realize what a large deficiency that was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 18, 2003 Report Share Posted July 18, 2003 Here, here! Bob , " kenrose2008 " <kenrose2008> wrote: > Alon, > > , " Alon Marcus " > <alonmarcus@w...> wrote: > > In the mid-80's, Redwing Books did a poll and concluded that > perhaps > > 15% of graduates continued to study and buy books after > graduation. > > >>>That is very sad > > Alon > > It's more than sad. It's tragic. > > And it's one of the reasons why I have > taken such an uncompromising position > on topics like language and literacy. > > One of the natural results of forcing... > yes, folks, you read that right, FORCING > students to acquire language skills and > access to the literature, is that it will > tend to raise this percentage and to > therefore increase the level of knowledge > and skill among members of the profession. > > People who learn to read tend to read. > > Conversely, people who are not taught > to read learn that it is not important > to read and therefore tend not to read. > > It is really very simple. > > Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 18, 2003 Report Share Posted July 18, 2003 Z'ev, Blue Poppy Press sales for 2003 so far are down by 18% from last year. So much for a " growing " market. (I'm only talking about Blue Poppy Press here, not Blue Poppy Enterprises, Inc. as a whole, i.e., Blue Poppy Herbs & Blue Poppy Institute. BPE gross sales for 2003 are up.) Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 18, 2003 Report Share Posted July 18, 2003 Ken wrote: > > > > One of the natural results of forcing... > > yes, folks, you read that right, FORCING > > students to acquire language skills and > > access to the literature, is that it will > > tend to raise this percentage and to > > therefore increase the level of knowledge > > and skill among members of the profession. At PCOM we are forcing the writing of papers where students have to extensively explain diagnoses and pathomechanisms. while most gripe endlessly about these papers, they all also admit how much they learned in the process. some forcing is necessary in academics. And I have never denied that such forcing would be desirable with regard to language. I just do not believe our profession has the will, so I focus my attention on an achievable goal, which is insuring that accurate translations are used and steering students away from bogus MSU. Interestingly, the only school I am aware of that has succesfully integrated chinese into their program is SIOM. they do now require a year of chinese as prereq, though, as they found that even devoting all the time they could within the program was not sufficient. And they also believe that their small group problem solving based methodology is essential for acquiring language as well as clinical skills. So perhaps there is a possible dovetailing of concerns and demands here. If case based learning frees up class time and yields better retention than rote lectures, then more time would be available for language study. If case based learning is more akin to traditional apprenticeship than rote lecture, we kill two birds with one stone. And we simultaneously recreate an environment closer to that in which CM evolved, in which study of chinese classics went hand in hand with praxis. My teacher was forced by her father to study classics all morning starting at age 11. Then all afternoon she worked in his clinic, beginning to see her own pt. when she was 14. She had already been treating patients for 6 years before she had her first " lecture " class in med school. with a study of chinese language, case based learning and immediate clinical immersion, we could accomplish a lot. again, I do not think learning chinese is necessary to practice effectively. But we can also talk about training the cream of the crop, too. This is essentially SIOM's highly acclaimed model and PCOM is 2/3 of the way there (our chinese class was cancelled for the 12th semester in a row due to low enrollment). I am currently forcing myself to learn chinese, something that has finally become possible for my character impaired mind with the use of wenlin. We may want to consider the fact that it may become an issue in the future over who has the right to teach and even practice TCM. And this may hinge on the language issue. While on one hand, we might make the case that that there are ample rigorous books in english for TCM training. On the other hand, the publishers of many of these same books are actually some of the strongest advocates of the essential importance of learning chinese (Bensky, Flaws, Felt). So if we try and make the case that we already have what we need, how do we reconcile that with these companies principals actually working against their own vested interests (if we read chinese, we no longer need their books). In addition, even if we have access to adequate basic texts, which I think we do, we do not have adequate access to journals, research and case studies. so while I think we have basic academics covered, we not have enough info about clinical practice. I think we would be horrified if our MD's did not have access to the latest medical journals and I am concerned that in our profession's endless battles over turf, the issue of such lack of access will eventually come up. The laxity of our CEU system in CA is already under investigation. We'll see what's next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 18, 2003 Report Share Posted July 18, 2003 , " J. Lynn Detamore " < healthworks@j...> wrote: > > > Well, how nice that you guys can afford all those books.... Just because > people can't afford (hopefully only temporarily) to shell it out, doesn't > mean they're not reading or that they are " lesser " practitioners. I am not sure who wrote this, but it is an excellent point. I have devoted my career to rather low income pursuits that I enjoy like teaching instead of a high volume practice (which I hated). In practice, I was content to see less patients and make less money (you don't need much in Oregon anyway). I always had access to school libraries and thus have purchased many less books than I otherwise would have. In fact, I would say the ratio of books I have access to versus the ones I own is about on the order of 10:1 or more. I also borrow books from colleagues. Many grads remain near school long after graduation. So I think a more accurate reflection of who continues to study would at least involve library records of alumni borrowings, as well. It is unfortunate that many of us cannot afford more purchases as your companies all deserve the revenues for what you have produced. but this is indeed not reflective of who actually studies. While I do not think it is as high as it should be. I think it is more like 50% of grads who continue to study books after graduation based upon conversations with such folks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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