1

Is Our Professionalism All It Should Be?

2

Professionalism

Implies:• Commitment• Training• Competence(as with NBA, policemen, soldiers, etc.)

3

"Learned" Professions

• Law• Religion• Medicine

Essence of Professionalism for these– ETHICS

4

Components of Medical Professionalism

• Altruism• Accountability• Excellence• Respect for others• Personal commitment to life-long learning• Duty• Honor and integrity(KUMC definition)

5

Sources of Concern re: Professionalism

• Medical student graduation questionnaire• AMA• AAMC• ACGME• ABIM • Local anecdotes

6

VCU School of Medicine Standards of Professional Behavior

These standards describe behaviors expected from faculty,housestaff, and students in the School of Medicine:

• Recognize their positions as role models for other members of the health care team.

• Carry out academic, clinical and research responsibilities in a conscientious manner, make every effort to exceed expectations and make a commitment to life-long learning.

7

• Treat patients, faculty, housestaff and students with humanism and sensitivity to the value of cultural, social, age, gender, disability and economic diversity without discrimination, bias, or harassment.

• Maintain patient confidentiality.

• Be respectful of the privacy of all members of the medical campus community and avoid promoting gossip and rumor.

• Interact with all other members of the health care team in a helpful and supportive fashion without arrogance and with respect and recognition of the roles played by each individual.

8

• Provide help or seek assistance for any member of the health care team who is recognized as impaired in his/her ability to perform his/her professional obligations.

• Be mindful the limits of one’s knowledge and abilities and seek help from others whenever appropriate.

• Abide by accepted ethical standards in the scholarship, research and standards of patient care.

• Abide by the guidelines of the VCU Honor System.

9

Vignettes

10

Concerns and Dilemmas

• Receiving gifts from commercial reps

• Billing for services of others

• Reporting patient impairments to "others"

• Unclear use of placebo (clinical trial)

• Misrepresentation ("Doctor Assistant")

• Withholding information re: medical "error"

• Multiple privacy issues (including elevator talk)

11

“Bottom Line”

Medical Professionalism is an expected behavior in all interactions• Faculty• Housestaff• Support staff• Students

12

Professionalism

If there are "lapses," how do we raise the level of Professionalism in our "culture"?

Answer: Create Awareness in all of us!

13

The Oath of Hippocrates

I do solemnly swear by that which I hold most sacredThat I will be loyal to the profession of medicine and just and

generous to its membersThat I will lead my life and practice my art in uprightness and honorThat into whatsoever house I shall enter it shall be for the good of the sick to

the utmost of my power, I holding myself aloof from wrong, from corruption, from tempting of others to vice

That I will exercise my art solely for the cure of my patients, and will give no drug, perform no operation, for a criminal purpose, even if solicited, far less suggest it

That whatsoever I shall see or hear of the lives of men which is not fitting to be spoken, I will keep inviolably secret

These things I promise and in proportions as I am faithful to this my oath may happiness and good repute be ever mine, the opposite if I shall be forsworn.

14

SOM Professionalism Website

http://www.medschool.vcu.edu/professionalism/