Medical professionalism and enculturation of the millennial physician: meeting of the minds
Inklings
Volume 106, Issue 7, Pages 1615-1616
Authors:
Steven R. Lindheim, M.D., M.M.M., Parvaneh Nouri, B.S., Kelly A. Rabah, M.S.W., Jerome L. Yaklic, M.D., M.B.A.
Abstract:
The conceptualization of medicine as a profession that is held to ethical and practical standards was first formalized through the writings of 18th-century British physician-ethicists Gregory and Percival (1). This was in response to the lack of standardization in both training and practice that existed within medicine at the time. Percival's Medical Ethics subsequently served as a reference for the first Code of Medical Ethics issued by the American Medical Association in 1847 (2). Today, it is universally accepted that an important aspect of becoming a physician is the learning and implementing of high standards of medical professionalism into practice.
1 Comments
This is a timely article on medical ethics and professionalism. It was interesting to read the characterization of the different generations with respect to their attitudes to work and work-life balance. While these "stereotypes" definitely sound accurate, there is certainly some overlap between the generations- for example there are still some "competitive workaholics" among millenials etc.
As the article points out, passing on good values with respect to ethical issues such as conflicts of interest / professional integrity etc will continue to be an important aspect of medical training.