1. Professionalism in Medicine Introductory Course, 2013-2014
Khaled Jadallah, MD

2. Who are the learned? Those who practice what they know
Holy Prophet Mohammad
Professionalism In Medicine

3. Objectives of Presentation
Define professionalism in medicine
Outline the main commitments to professionalism
Justify why professionalism should be taught to medical students and physicians-in-training
Review the standards/characteristics of professional conduct for students
Professionalism In Medicine

4. What is Professionalism ?
Professionalism is the conduct, aims or qualities that characterize a profession or a professional person
A moral code is often at the basis of professionalism
It is more than doing a particular type of job but more about being a particular type of person
It's NOT the job you DO, It's HOW you DO the job.”
Professionalism In Medicine

5. Is There a Difference Between Medicine and other Professions?
The profession of medicine requires intellectual training and acquisition of specialised knowledge
Work is pursued primarily for others
Success is measured by more than financial return
Brandeis LD. Business-A profession. Boston, MA: Small, Maynard, 1914
Professionalism In Medicine

6. The difference between a professional person and a technician is that
a technician knows
everything about his job except its
ultimate purpose and his place in the
scheme of things
Al Zahrawi
Professionalism In Medicine

7. Professionalism In Medicine
Al-Zahravi "father of surgery“ ( AD)
Professionalism In Medicine

8. Three Fundamental Principles of Professionalism in Medicine
Primacy of patient welfare
Patient autonomy
Social justice
Professionalism In Medicine

9. 10 Commitments to Professionalism

10. Commitment to Professional Competence1
Commitment to Professional Competence
Lifelong professional development
Maintenance of competence
Professionalism In Medicine

11. Commitment to Honesty with Patients2
Commitment to Honesty with Patients
Inform patients completely and honestly before and after treatment
Empower patients to participate in decisions affecting their health
Disclose fully and promptly all medical errors
Professionalism In Medicine

12. Commitment to Patient Confidentiality3
Commitment to Patient Confidentiality
Adhere to all safeguards governing the disclosure of patient information
Disclose confidential information only when considerations of public interest override the interests of privacy
Professionalism In Medicine

13. Commitment to Maintaining Appropriate Relations with Patients4
Commitment to Maintaining Appropriate Relations with Patients
Recognize inherent vulnerability and dependency of patients
Never exploit patients for sexual advantage, personal financial gain, or other private purpose
Professionalism In Medicine

14. Commitment to Scientific Knowledge5
Commitment to Scientific Knowledge
Uphold scientific standards
Promote research to create new knowledge
Ensure appropriate use of scientific information
Professionalism In Medicine

15. Commitment to Professional Responsibilities6
Commitment to Professional Responsibilities
Participate in the processes of self-regulation
Assist in establishing educational and standard-setting activities
Accept external scrutiny of professional performance
Professionalism In Medicine

16. Commitment to Improving Quality of Care7
Commitment to Improving Quality of Care
Work collaboratively to:
Reduce medical error
Increase patient safety
Minimize overuse
Optimize outcomes of care
Help develop and implement better measures of quality health care
Professionalism In Medicine

17. Commitment to Improving Access to Care8
Commitment to Improving Access to Care
Strive to reduce barriers to equitable health care
Promote the health of the public without concern for self-interest
Professionalism In Medicine

18. Commitment to a Just Distribution of Resources9
Commitment to a Just Distribution of Resources
Base individual patient-care decisions on cost-effective management of limited resources
Work collaboratively to develop clinical guidelines
Scrupulously avoid superfluous tests and procedures
Professionalism In Medicine

19. Maintain Trust by Managing Conflicts of Interest10
Maintain Trust by Managing Conflicts of Interest
Recognize the existence of many opportunities to pursue private gain
Prepare to resist temptation
Disclose all conflicts of interest involving professional activities
Professionalism In Medicine

20. Why Teach/Learn Medical Professionalism?
It may help future physicians to recapture some degree of autonomy, at least decisional autonomy
It may help to break the cycle of public distrust and disrespect for physicians and medicine
It may help physicians and medicine gain the high moral ground in their ongoing struggle with payers
It may contribute to improving the process and outcome of patient care
Professionalism In Medicine

21. ACGME Endorsed General Competencies
Patient care
Medical knowledge
Practice-based learning & improvement
Interpersonal & communication skills
Professionalism
Systems-based Practice
Professionalism In Medicine

22. Current Emphasis on Medical Professionalism for Practising Physicians
More complaints against physicians relate to unprofessional conduct than lack of knowledge or poor technical skills
Ginsburg S et al Context, conflict and resolution: A new conceptual
framework for evaluating professionalism. Academic Medicine, 75 (10)
Suppl 2000
Professionalism In Medicine

23. Why Bother Teaching Professionalism to Medical Students?
Problematic behaviour as Medical Students associated with disciplinary action
as Doctors
Papadakis MA, Hodgson CS, Teherani et al. Unprofessional behaviour in
medical school is associated with subsequent disciplinary action by a State
Medical Board. Academic Medicine 2004; 79 (3):
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24. Professionalism In Medicine
Characteristics of Professional Conduct of Learners What Should be Evaluated?
Integrity
Tolerance
Interpersonal relationships
Dependability
Initiative
Attitudes
Function under stress
Appearance
Professionalism In Medicine

25. Standards/Characteristics of Professional Conduct for Students-1
Integrity
Displays honesty in all situations and interactions
Is able to identify information that is confidential and maintain its confidentiality
Tolerance
Demonstrates ability to accept people and situations
Acknowledges his/her biases and does not allow them to affect patient care or contribute to threatening or harassing interactions with others
Professionalism In Medicine

26. Standards/Characteristics of Professional Conduct for Students-2
Interpersonal relationships
Provides support and is empathetic in interactions with peers, patients, and their families
Interacts effectively with "difficult individuals."
Demonstrates respect for and complements the roles of other professionals
Is cooperative and earns respect
Dependability
Completes tasks promptly and well
Arrives on time and actively participates in clinical and didactic activities
Follows through and is reliable
Professionalism In Medicine

27. Standards/Characteristics of Professional Conduct for Students-3
Initiative
Independently identifies tasks to be performed and makes sure that tasks are completed satisfactorily
Performs duties promptly and efficiently
Is willing to spend additional time and to assume new responsibilities
Recognizes when help is required and when to ask for guidance
Professionalism In Medicine

28. Standards/Characteristics of Professional Conduct for Students-4
Attitudes
Is actively concerned about others
Maintains a positive outlook toward others and toward assigned tasks
Recognizes and admits mistakes
Seeks and accepts feedback and uses it to improve performance
Professionalism In Medicine

29. Standards/Characteristics of Professional Conduct for Students-5
Function under stress
Maintains professional composure and exhibits good personal and clinical judgment in stressful situations
Identifies unprofessional conduct while recognizing the importance of maintaining professional behavior in the clinical setting, in spite of inappropriate action on the part of others
Appearance
Displays appropriate professional appearance and is appropriately groomed
Professionalism In Medicine

30. The best augury of a man's success
in his profession is that he thinks it
the finest in the world.
George Eliot , British Novelist
Professionalism In Medicine

31. Professionalism In Medicine

32. Professionalism In Medicine
Professionalism is knowing how to do it, when to do it, and doing it
Professionalism In Medicine

33. Professionalism In Medicine
The Bottom Line
“The practice of medicine is not a business and can never be one…Our fellow creatures cannot be dealt with as man deals in corn or coal.”
(William Osler)
Osler W. On the educational value of the medical society. In: Aequanimitas, with
other addresses to medical students, nurses and practitioners of medicine. 3rd Ed.
Philadelphia, PA, 1932:
Professionalism In Medicine