PROFESSIONALISM IN EMERGENCY MEDICINE
Section snippets
HISTORY
In the past, medicine did not have standards of competence or even a minimal, required knowledge base in the United States. Most individuals in the early 1700s became doctors through unregulated apprenticeships. The practice was more of a trade, but was also a good source of income for established doctors. In contrast, a candidate for the clergy of colonial New England had to have graduated from college, completed an apprenticeship, passed an examination, and been accepted by a congregation.
CURRENT APPLICATION TO EMERGENCY MEDICINE
Despite or because of current turmoil, physicians must remind themselves of their commitment to professionalism. A profession is “an occupation that regulates itself through systemic, required training and collegial discipline; that has a base in technical, specialized knowledge; [and] that has a service rather than a profit orientation enshrined in its code of ethics.”18 The essence of professionalism is that behaviors must be directed toward the patient's best interests. Because there are
METHODS FOR PROMOTING PROFESSIONALISM
Professionalism first can be promoted by explicit acknowledgment and discussion of standards while the physicians are still in training. Part of the requirements of a profession is to train new practitioners in the technical skills and professional requirements. Professionalism should be discussed formally in medical schools and during residency. Furthermore, professional behaviors should be stressed in physicians-in-training evaluations.1, 6
After residency, professionalism should be discussed
SUMMARY
At its root, medical professionalism is service delivered according to patient's interest. It is essential to reinforce this notion because financial pressures threaten the integrity of the patient–physician relationship. Excessive commercialism directly contrasts the ideals of medical professionalism. This fact necessitates re-examination and reaffirmation of professional behavior. If historical standards of professionalism give way to market-driven incentives, the provision of medical care
References (19)
- et al.
Professionalism in emergency medicine
Acad Emerg Med
(1998) Professionalism and ethics in healthcare
J Med Philos
(1986)Project professionalism: Staying ahead of the wave
Am J Med
(1994)- American College of Emergency Physicians Policy Statement. Code of Ethics for Emergency Physicians,...
- American College of Emergency Physicians Policy Statement. Ethics Manual,...
- American College of Emergency Physicians Policy Statement. Gifts to Emergency Physicians from the Biomedical Industry,...
- American Medical Association. Principles of Medical Ethics: Code of Medical Ethics: Current Opinions with Annotations,...
- D Blumenthal, The vital role of professionalism in healthcare reform. Health Aff (Millwood),...
- et al.
Patient–physician covenant
JAMA
(1995)
Cited by (11)
Conflict Resolution in Emergency Medicine
2012, Emergency Medicine: Clinical Essentials, SECOND EDITIONPhysicians Should Be Civic Professionals, Not Just Knowledge Workers
2007, American Journal of MedicineTeaching the Intangibles: Professionalism and Interpersonal Skills/Communication
2012, Practical Teaching in Emergency Medicine, Second EditionApproach to the emergency patient
2012, An Introduction to Clinical Emergency MedicineTeaching the Intangibles: Professionalism and Interpersonal Skills/Communication
2009, Practical Teaching in Emergency MedicineThe role of gross anatomy in promoting professionalism: A neglected opportunity!
2006, Clinical Anatomy
Address reprint requests to James G. Adams, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, e-mail: [email protected]