Doctors Fall-Short On Professionalism

Posted on January 3, 2008 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

AIM Professional Ethics Study Revealed

Staff Writers 

 

Doctors agree on basic theories of professionalism, but may not live up to those ideals in practice, according to a survey of more than 1,600 physicians published in the Dec. 4, 2007 Annals of Internal Medicine [AIM]. 

Nearly all surveyed agreed that physicians should use medical resources appropriately, be truthful with patients, minimize disparities, treat patients regardless of payment ability, maintain board certification status, perform peer-review, avoid sex with patients, work on quality initiatives, disclose conflicts of interest, report impaired or incompetent physicians, and report medical errors; etc. 

But, more than half revealed that they failed to report an observed medical error in the last three years, and/or report an impaired or incompetent colleague.

And, more than a third of the doctors said they would order an unnecessary magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] scan to pacify an insistent patient. 

So, does medical professionalism relate to patient bedside manner, as well?

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