Andrija Štampar and medical students: The ‘Andrija Štampar’ Health Club (1951–1990)

Abstract

The paper demonstrates how Andrija Štampar’s ideas on social medicine and the development of public health influenced Zagreb’s medical students, using the ‘Andrija Štampar’ Health Club as an example. The paper covers the period from 1951, when the Club was founded, to 1990, when significant socio-political changes occurred, impacting the school’s operation and student organisations. The first part of the paper analyses Andrija Štampar and his relationship with medical professionals and students in Zagreb in general. Firstly, as an educator, Štampar introduced courses in social medicine and employed practical exercises to familiarise students with public health conditions. Secondly, as the head of the Students’ Social and Health Protection Office, Štampar had the opportunity to improve students’ standards in Zagreb, but his efforts were interrupted by war. Thirdly, as dean, Štampar initiated a reform of the medical curriculum. Štampar’s ideas gradually gained acceptance among students, which became evident after 1945. Between 1945 and 1990, numerous societies operated within the School of Medicine, including the Health Club, whose primary goal was public health action. Therefore, the second part of the paper analyses the establishment of the Health Club, its activities, and achieved results. Over time, social activities expanded into other medical fields depending on the members’ interests, but public health activities remained an integral component of the society’s work until the end of the observed period. The paper is based on literature, archival sources stored at the School of Medicine in Zagreb and the National Archives in Zagreb, and periodicals, primarily of student origin.

Keywords

• andrija štampar school of public health
• school of medicine
• university of zagreb
• medical students
• social medicine
• public health
• yugoslavia