Physicians as Professionals

CanMEDS Professional

Physicians as Professionals

In this module we will explore:

what is meant by the term professional
where the expectations for professional behaviour arise
how they are codified and enforced

There are many definitions of professional and various ideas about what constitutes professional practice in medicine but most include:

a code of ethics
a commitment to clinical competence
appropriate attitudes and behaviors
integrity
altruism
personal well-being
protection and promotion of the public good within their domain of practice
[2]

This working definition is provided by Canadian Doctors Cruess, Johnston and Cruess, international leaders in the field:

"Physicians have a unique societal role as professionals who are dedicated to the health and caring of others. Their work requires the mastery of a complex body of knowledge and skills, as well as the art of medicine. As such, the Professional Role is guided by codes of ethics and a commitment to clinical competence, the embracing of appropriate attitudes and behaviors integrity, altruism, personal well-being, and to the promotion of the public good within their domain. These commitments form the basis of a social contract between a physician and society. Society, in return, grants physicians the privilege of profession-led regulation with the understanding that they are accountable to those served." [1]

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