professionalism

Introduction

Knowledge of a field of learning, which applied to the affairs of others in society. The professional must be trusted by those who seek his or her counsel or guidance. Divinity, law, teaching & medicine are the prominent professions.

Fundamental principle

• primacy of patient welfare
• patient autonomy
• social justice

Professional commitment

• competence
• honesty
• patient confidentiality
• appropriate patient relations
  • physicians may pursue termination of physician-patient relationship as long as patient's health is not jeopardized & care can be provided by alternative provider
  • patient abandonment is unethical
• healthcare quality improvement
• access to care
• just distribution of resources
• scientific knowledge
• manage conflict of interest
• professional responsibility
  • self assessment

Notes

• professionalism extends to social media
  • a physician's social media activities should be consistent with professional behavior in other domains
• when a physician becomes aware of unprofessional behavior involving a colleague, he/she should discuss this directly with the colleague prior to other action

More specific terms

• patient confidentiality