Medical professionalism – putting patients first

The AMA Position Statement on Medical Professionalism 2010 draws on the AMA Code of Ethics and the AMA-endorsed World Medical Association Declaration of Geneva and the Declaration of Seoul on Professional Autonomy and Clinical Independence.

AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, said there is global professional and community interest in the concept of medical professionalism and what it means to be a medical professional in today’s dynamic health care environment and broader social environment.

“The Position Statement serves to identify the major values of the profession and highlights the profession’s commitment, and indeed responsibility, to put patients first, regardless of the challenges posed by a rapidly changing health care environment,” Dr Pesce said.

 “Society values the medical profession’s highly specialised knowledge and skills and entrusts doctors with a unique and vital leadership role in the health care system.

“The medical profession is granted a high level of professional autonomy and clinical independence because the community trusts doctors to put the individual patient’s interests first.

“Medical professionalism embodies the values and skills that the profession expects of itself and which society expects of doctors.  Through adherence to medical professionalism, doctors fulfil their duties to patients and the wider public.

“While doctors have their own individual beliefs and values, the medical profession upholds a core set of values including respect, trust, compassion, altruism, integrity, justice, accountability, protection of confidentiality, leadership, and collegiality.
“Medical practitioners are expected to commit to the highest ethical and professional standards of conduct and performance.

“This involves continuing self-appraisal, ongoing professional development, taking responsibility for one’s own health and wellbeing, supporting impaired colleagues, and protecting patients,” Dr Pesce said.

The Position Statement – available on the AMA website at www.ama.com.au/node/5424 - is part of the AMA’s ongoing policy development processes.

1 April 2010

CONTACT:

John Flannery 02 6270 5477 / 0419 494 761
Peter Jean 02 6270 5464 / 0427 209 753

Follow the AMA on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/amapresident