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Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1999;153:893.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

One can spend $1 if one has more than $1, but one has to either borrow to spend that dollar or basically forget about spending that dollar if one does not have $1 or more!

Socrates is like having a lot of money in the wallet out of which Aunt Minnie can be made possible whenever and wherever needed.¹

Amar L. Davé, MD
Pediatric Center
1021 Clinton
Ottawa, IL 61350

1. Cunningham AS, Blatt SD, Fuller PG, Weinberger HL. The art of precepting: Socrates or Aunt Minnie? Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1999;153:114-116. FREE FULL TEXT

In reply

Dr Davé's metaphor implies that Aunt Minnie (rapid diagnosis and precepting) requires experience, and we agree. We agree also that Socratic dialogue is an important part of medical training. We emphasize that our commentary was directed to the needs of patients and trainees in a busy pediatric office or outpatient clinic.

Training programs provide ample opportunity for Socratic dialogue: journal club, morning report, "curbside consults," and so on. But the leisurely, free-wheeling and stimulating discussions in these venues . . . [Full Text of this Article]