The Faculty's Vision of Exemplary Professionalism in Medicine (Exhibit 5)
Back to exhibitsIt is the responsibility of the College's faculty to define for the students the characteristics of exemplary behavior in the medical profession. This will ensure greater consistency of faculty role modeling for students in a variety of settings. It also serves as a basis for identifying specific measurable behaviors reflecting those characteristics for which the students will be held accountable. The faculty of the University of Florida College of Medicine believes the following elements define the highest standards of professionalism in medicine:
A commitment:
- to excellence in the practice of medicine
- to the generation and dissemination of new knowledge
- to serve the interests and welfare of patients
- to be responsive to the health needs of society
- to life long learning
- to uphold high professional standards
Elements of professionalism are further defined as:
Altruism. Service to patients without self interest.
Accountability. Accountable to patients to fulfill the implied physician/patient relationship. Accountable to society for addressing the health needs of the public. Accountable to the profession for adhering to medicine's time honored ethical precepts.
Excellence. Conscientious effort to exceed ordinary expectations.
Duty. A commitment to service.
Honor and integrity. Being honest and uncompromising in one's pursuit of high quality patient care.
Respect for others. Patients, their families, physicians and professional colleagues.
Adapted from Project Professionalism by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Philadelphia 1995, p.5.
