Defining Professionalism..
Since I am beginning the match process of where I will be placed for my 3rd and 4th year of medical school, I had a mock interview. The interview was with the Dean of my school and I think it went well except for one question. He started off talking about the increasing emphasis in the medical school curriculum of the importance of professionalism, he then proceeded to ask me to define the word "professionalism". I couldn't formulate a concrete answer so I wound up proving an example where I had acted professionally in a medical environment.
Apart from a brief "clerkship" at Planned Parenthood, I have had very little experience in the role of the healthcare provider, but a lot of experience as the patient. Ignoring the risk of sounding cheesy, I would describe the physician-patient relationship as a unique one, a sacred one. As a patient, I have exposed myself in all states of vulnerability to my doctors. When I had an appendectomy I trusted a complete stranger to cut me open, and save my life while I lay unconscious. I have allowed complete strangers to witness me in some of my most exposed, and weakest moments, in states that I wouldn't want my best friend or family members to see me in. Never once had I asked any of my doctors to provide documentation of their qualification. The fact alone, that they had the two little letters MD after their name, and that they wore a white coat was enough for me to feel comfortable.
And this relationship goes even beyond the trust factor. As a patient I have confidence that my doctor will have the knowledge to ease my pain, suffering, and anxiety. When I am sick and in pain i look to my doctor with the same sense of comfort and security that I felt toward my parents when I was a child and scared. I have the confidence that he or she will do all that is possible to help me. This is a relationship that deserves to be handle with the utmost care and respect. I therefore would define professionalism as being trustworthy, dependent, knowledgeable, and respectful toward all patients.
Apart from a brief "clerkship" at Planned Parenthood, I have had very little experience in the role of the healthcare provider, but a lot of experience as the patient. Ignoring the risk of sounding cheesy, I would describe the physician-patient relationship as a unique one, a sacred one. As a patient, I have exposed myself in all states of vulnerability to my doctors. When I had an appendectomy I trusted a complete stranger to cut me open, and save my life while I lay unconscious. I have allowed complete strangers to witness me in some of my most exposed, and weakest moments, in states that I wouldn't want my best friend or family members to see me in. Never once had I asked any of my doctors to provide documentation of their qualification. The fact alone, that they had the two little letters MD after their name, and that they wore a white coat was enough for me to feel comfortable.
And this relationship goes even beyond the trust factor. As a patient I have confidence that my doctor will have the knowledge to ease my pain, suffering, and anxiety. When I am sick and in pain i look to my doctor with the same sense of comfort and security that I felt toward my parents when I was a child and scared. I have the confidence that he or she will do all that is possible to help me. This is a relationship that deserves to be handle with the utmost care and respect. I therefore would define professionalism as being trustworthy, dependent, knowledgeable, and respectful toward all patients.