1. Medical Professionalism
A Closer Look at the American Board of Internal Medicine’s Physician Charter

2. What is Medical Professionalism?
Basis of medicine’s contract with society
Prompts a thorough examination of underlying causes of illness
Places interests of patients above those of physician, provides expert advice on health to society, and maintains standards of competence and integrity
Many challenges impede medical professionalism

3. Fundamental Principles of ABIM Physician Charter
Principle of primacy of patient welfare to provide patient-centered care
Principle of patient autonomy in which physicians must be honest with their patients
Principle of social justice to eliminate discrimination in health care

4. Professional Responsibilities of ABIM Physician Charter
Commitment to professional competence
Commitment to honesty with patients
Commitment to patient confidentiality
Commitment to maintaining appropriate relations with patients
Commitment to improving quality of care
Commitment to improving access to care
Commitment to a just distribution of finite resources
Commitment to scientific knowledge
Commitment to maintaining trust by managing conflicts of interest
Commitment to professional responsibilities

5. Human Rights Basis for Professionalism in Health Care
Improve patient care by enhancing cultural competency, recognizing root causes of disease, and helping people stay healthier longer
Build community health to provide accessible, affordable, and quality care
Enhance health policy by using human rights to advocate for closing of racial disparities

6. AAAQ Framework
Availability- health facilities, goods, and services must be available in sufficient quantity
Accessibility- health services must be accessible to everyone without discrimination
Acceptability- health services must be respectful of medical ethics, culturally appropriate and gender sensitive
Quality- health services must be scientifically and medically appropriate and of good quality

7. Environmental Forces that Affect Physician Behavior
Payment policy- health care services are compensated at different levels and physicians may be inclined to use more or less services
Organizational strategies- need for a renewed focus on mission and culture change, an electronic health record, and a performance measurement system
Public performance- encouraged to embrace public reporting that supports continuous quality improvement in practice