Medical Board

Medical board is a term that in the 19th and early 20th centuries replaced the concept of “chief physician” or “people’s commissar of health care.”

The medical board was essentially the executive body of the People's Commissariat of Health, and it was headed by the chief physician. At his disposal were various administrative, sanitary and economic bodies, as well as medical institutions.

Until the end of the first quarter of the 20s. In Russia, the position of chief physician was very common, although from the very beginning there were a small number of them. But by the beginning of the 30s, the position of chief physician was practically eliminated. The relevant institutions are transferred respectively to the jurisdiction of the health authorities and the police. Since the end of the 30s. The title of chief physician is practically not used on the territory of the USSR. Having existed for 85 years, this body faded into oblivion, replaced by a general rule on the leading role of the Ministry of Health in managing the health care system.

This state of affairs was due to the attitude towards doctors from various segments of the population. So, during the revolution of 1905-1907. doctors were not as respected as previously observed. After the October Revolution, this attitude improved somewhat, since the councils included many specialists who, with their authority, helped doctors, despite the fact that under Soviet power workers became one of the classes where doctors occupied the lowest position.