Three Perspectives On Medical Professionalism

The main reason behind choosing this article was how it was able to offer three perspectives on medical professionalism and how it goes beyond abiding to certain rules of behavior, however, it is limited by the amount of discussion it provides. The author shares with us how three different UK organizations perceive professionalism and the running elements though them. First, the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) published Doctors in Society: Medical Professionalism in a Changing World, where it defined medical professionalism as a “set of values, behaviors and relationships” necessary for the trust placed on physicians. Values were defined by the RCP as “integrity, compassion, altruism, continuous improvement, excellence and partnership-working,” while the

The 2013 GMP version clearly states standards of behavior necessary to stay patient-centered. These standards mainly enforce the actions a physician must take to keep patients their upmost concern, such as staying competent and skilled, fostering the relationship with the patients, and always staying honest and trustworthy. The four domains contained in the GMC also provide standards for fitness to practice by which physicians are measured. Lastly, the National Health Services (NHS) created the NHS Constitution in 2009, where a clear definition of purpose, roles and expectations are given, outlining its principle and values. One of the core principles within the Constitution is the need to use limited resources in a fair and effective way. This management of resources being one of the dilemmas that might compromise patient care, shows how professionalism also provides a vital reason for doctors to get actively involved in the processes that help create such guidelines, and thus influencing change and