Joaquim Bastos - Retrato de um Médico, Professor e Humanista

Abstract

Introduction: Joaquim Bastos (1909-1996) was an exceptional Doctor and Full Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of Porto. He was an example of dedication to clinical practice and medical education, leaving a remarkable legacy to Portuguese Surgery and Hospital de São João. Material and Methods: This article was based on the various works published by Professor Joaquim Bastos, as well as important online documentation and interviews with Professor Pedro Bastos, his son, and Doutor Aníbal Justiniano, one of his former collaborators. Results: He graduated from Faculty of Medicine of Porto in 1932 and he began his academic career as an Assistant in the Surgical Clinic Service in 1933. After completing his PhD, in 1938, he did an internship in Milan alongside the best european surgeons of the time. He ran through, in a singular way, the entire university and hospital career. Discussion: In 1943, he became in charge of Surgical Propedeutics course as well as the direction of two General Surgery wards in the Hospital Santo António. In Hospital São João, since 1959, he played a fundamental role in the direction and modernization of the first Surgery Service in this Hospital Center. In the field of research, it is worth highlighting the pioneering work developed on the portal hypertension. However, he published numerous papers about vast themes of Medicine, without neglecting the ethical, human and religious aspects. Conclusion: He was elected the first President of the Portuguese Society of Surgery. He won several distinctions, being a noble reference in the field of General Surgery and, above all, as a University Professor and Humanist.