Institute:Office of National Coordinator (ONC) Workforce Training Curriculum
Component:The Culture of Health Care
Unit:Ethics and Professionalism
Lecture:Ethics and professionalism
Slide content:Core Medical Professional Responsibilities Professional competence Honesty with patients Patient confidentiality Appropriate relations with patients Improving quality of care American Board of Internal Medicine, 2005; Cassel, 2009 19
Slide notes:A charter created jointly by several medical societies, including the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation, states ten core principles of medical professionalism for physicians. These principles might equally apply to all medical professionals. The first five principles are as follows: Commitment to professional competence. Individual doctors must do what it takes to keep up with new discoveries in their field and keep their skills at the level needed to deliver appropriate care. The medical profession must monitor its members and provide ways for doctors to meet this goal. Commitment to honesty with patients. This principle includes the duty of informed consent. In addition, this principle requires doctors to be honest when medical errors occur. Commitment to patient confidentiality. Doctors must take steps to protect patients private information. Commitment to maintaining appropriate relations with patients. Because patients are often vulnerable and dependent on their health care providers, [quote] physicians should never exploit patients for any sexual advantage, personal financial gain, or other private purpose. [end quote] Commitment to improving quality of care. 19