Nurturing professional behaviours and ethical practice: From students to professionals

Abstract

Medical professionalism refers to the set of values, behaviours, and ethical principles that guide the conduct of medical professionals in their interactions with patients, peers and the broader healthcare system. From a training perspective, it is easier to focus on striving to achieve excellence in medical practice and meeting “industry” accepted standards than to remediate unprofessional behaviours of practitioners.1 Medical professionalism encompasses a commitment to providing high-quality patient care, maintaining ethical standards, and upholding the trust and respect of patients and the community. This is essential for ensuring patient safety, promoting effective healthcare delivery, and preserving the integrity of the medical profession. Systematic reviews published on unprofessional behaviours of medical students, such as failure to engage, dishonest and disrespectful behaviours, and lack of self-awareness have shown to have a negative impact on peers, teachers and patients leading to poor teamwork and provision of quality care.2