Introduction to Medical Professionalism

Assoc. Prof. Dr Nor Azwany Yaacob

Chairperson Personal & Professional Development Program

Department of Community Medicine

azwany@usm.my

Learning outcomes

1. understand the principle ofmedical professionalism

2. relate medical professionalismwith medical ethics

Why are medical doctors professional?

What is your profession?“ I am a medical doctor”

Which one illustrate professionals?

WHY?

Are doctors involved in all this?

Code of Conduct

Concept • Altruism: desire to help, not selfish

• Integrity: quality of being honest

• Responsible: accountable

• Respect:

What is the expectation of a doctor to act professionally with patient?

What is the expectation of a doctor to act professionallywith fellow colleagues?

Introduction Bioethics

Medical ethics

Health care ethics

Clinical ethics

Public Health ethics

Health research

ethics

Doctor-patient

Public health Doctor-community

Other health care providers

Medical ethics• How a medical practitioner should behave

– behavior considered correct by members of the profession

– for the goodness of both the patient and profession

Patient’s trust

Ethical professional conduct• Who is an ethical doctor?

– Moral reasoning of action

– Morality refers to social norms

• Distinguish right or wrong

• Medical Ethics – professional moral conduct

“Ethics is a common sense which will make sense to those who have sense or else he/she becomes

nonsense!”

Culture & Tradition outlined Ethics

The 4 pillars of medical ethics

Autonomy JusticeBeneficence Non-Maleficence

Self control of oneself

Fair?The best Do no HARM

Autonomy

• The right to control what happens to their bodies.

– can refuse or accept treatments, drugs, and surgeries.

– IF well-informed, competent adult and rational.

• MUST be respected by everyone

– even if those decisions aren’t in the best interest of the patient.

• Confidentiality :Doctor must protect patient’s privacy

Beneficence

• Medical care aim to improve patient’s health

– Patients right to get the best care

– Doctors responsibility to provide best care

• Keep up-dated with current medical knowledge & continually improve his skills

Non-maleficence

• should not recommend nor administer any harmful material

• should deliver help regardless of the financial ability, ethnic origin or religious belief of the patient.

Justice

• be as fair as possible when

– offering treatments to patients

– allocating scarce medical resources

Essence of medical ethics

• Professional code of conduct and ettiqutte

• Effective communication

• Caring personality, humanity & empathy

• Cross cultural ethics & social equity

Ethical competencies in clinical setting

Clinical application-informed consent-Communication in

various group-Disclosure

-Decision makingConfidentiality

Principle of ethics

Be honestBe reliable

Have courage to do right thingBuild a good reputation

Treat others with respectBe tolerant of differences

Use good manners, not bad languageBe considerate of the feelings of others

Don’t threatened or hurt anyoneDeal smartly with anger, & disagreements

Do what you supposed to doPersevere. Keep on trying

Always do your bestUse self-control, be self discipline

Think before you act. Consider consequences

Be accountable to your choice

Listen to othersDon’t take advantage of

othersDon’t blame others carelessly

Be kindBe compassionate &

show you careExpress gratitude

Forgive othersHelp people in need

Patient care

Empathy

Rights

Insight.

.

.

.

.

Communication

MEDICAL

Importance of ethical standardDoctors

Cure sometimes, Relieves often, Comfort always

Values of good communication –Trust, accountability, respect, fairness

Gain public trust – gain support, more effective intervention

Social responsibilityCompliance to law

Your words has its own healing power

What is expected from a doctor?

Do the best for their patient

Caring

Guard patient’s privacy

Talk nicely

Has empathy

People don’t care how much you knowUntil they know how much you care…

“Ethics is a common sense which will make sense to those who have sense or else he/she becomes

nonsense!”