Altruism In Healthcare

The defining characteristic of altruism is often described as self-sacrifice; to behave altruistically, an individual subordinates his or her interest in order to act for others’ benefit. I believe this definition of altruism differs in the context of medicine. Healthcare providers fulfill a special role within our society: physicians, in particular, are committed by a professional and ethical code to the deliver the highest quality of care, and to be accountable for the wellbeing of the patients and communities they serve. The stresses of professional medical practice can exact a great toll on healthcare providers. As physicians, being prepared to renounce self-interest could likely involve the danger ignoring personal health and wellbeing,

resulting in a substandard and unsustainable practice of medicine. Thus, altruism in medicine directs physicians to attend to the best interests of their patients, and also to recognize the importance of caring for the self. I first experienced this medical conception of altruism when I volunteered as a caregiver at a senior care centre. At the centre, each physician is assigned to over 50 patients, and devoted to each of the patients’ best medical interests. Despite the heavy workload, physicians recognized their concurrent individual needs for support, and dedicated time to take care of their wellbeing. In these stressful and strenuous situations absolute and continuous self-sacrifice could compromise a physician’s professional integrity. Altruism, in medicine, is therefore defined as a balance between personal and professional priorities, in order to ensure personal health and a sustainable medical practice.