Personal And Professional Ethics Essay

Upon becoming a health care professional one must first and foremost take the Hippocratic Oath. This oath represents the promise that all physicians must make to protect the rights of their patients, to treat their patients to the best of their ability, and to pass on medical knowledge to future generations. The Hippocratic Oath was designed as an exemplary precedent to model the ethics of health care professionals. Pursuing a career as a physician involves following my gut but also following the principles of these guidelines, and the ability to understand how the two can coincide and differ from one another. Which is why both my personal and professional ethics play such a significant role.

Although many aspects contribute to the evolution of one’s personal and professional ethics, each factor is originated and developed through one’s moral code. Dr. Kent M. Keith describes one’s moral code as a “list of fundamental principles”. (2003) As a child these principles were nurtured by the environment I grew up in, including my religious beliefs, social status, education I received and culture. Playing off of the impact that my

There are endless factors that contribute to my personal ethics including my values, morals and virtues, as opposed to my professional ethics, which rely heavily on my professional code of conduct. When comparing the two I realize that my moral pillars are common influences acting towards both of them. Being honest, courageous, committed, passionate and kind are the moral pillars that steer me in the direction of being successful, both in my professional and personal life. Although at times my personal ethics may interfere with my professional ethics I understand that doing what is best for the patient is always top priority. Lastly, the development of my personal ethics has contributed immensely to the person I am today and the physician that I one day hope to