Reviewer: Jerold C Woodhead, MD (University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine)
Description: This book provides both an introduction and a review of medical professionalism, depending on the reader's perspective. The authors start with an overview that describes current thinking about how physicians ought to act and compares the medical profession to other professions. They then provide a brief discourse on the history of professions and professionalism. The remaining chapters address each of the key components of medical professionalism.
Purpose: It is the unstated premise of this small book that medical professionalism is worthy of discussion and thought. The first chapter describes the historical and societal context in which medical professionalism must be considered and taught. The authors contend that it is the responsibility of the medical profession to teach medical professionalism at all stages in a physician's development in order to restore society's trust. They caution that many view the profession as promoting privilege, exclusivity, and high pay. The authors meet their objectives in a book that is well worth reading.
Audience: The book can be read profitably by medical students, residents, practitioners of all specialties, and faculty in medical schools. The authors address it to those involved in medical education, which is appropriate. The background of both authors includes extensive experience in medical education, research, and professional organizations.
Features: The introductory chapter places medical professionalism into historical and societal context, using examples from British, American, and Canadian writers and medical societies to emphasize how the medical profession must be grounded in trust and the well being of patients and society. Separate chapters address the history of professions and professionalism, ethics, professional-patient relationships, communication, cultural diversity, knowledge, personal development, autonomy, learning and teaching professionalism, assessment of professionalism, and social justice. I found the chapter on the history of professions and professionalism most interesting, because it provides a concise overview and because of the emphasis on the British perspective. The authors provide examples from North America, Australia, and New Zealand, but do not discuss viewpoints from non-English speaking societies.
Assessment: The authors validate their perspective and bolster their arguments by citing the work of such important contributors as Richard and Sylvia Creuss, Frederick Hafferty, Louise Arnold, and David Stern (to name only a few). Within each chapter, the authority of the material is supported by extensive documentation from the literature.
