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Biomedical subjects

Richard L Cruess

Publications and source records attributed to Richard L Cruess.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Teaching professionalism: general principles.

There are educational principles that apply to the teaching of professionalism during undergraduate education and postgraduate training. It is axiomatic that there is a single cognitive base that applies with increasing moral force as students enter medical school, progress to residency or registrar training, and enter practice. While parts of this body of knowledge are easier to teach and learn at different stages of an individual's career, it remains a definable whole at all times and should be taught as such. While the principle that self-reflection on theoretical and real issues encountered in the life of a student, resident or practitioner is essential to the acquisition of experiential learning and the incorporation of the values and behaviors of the professional, the opportunities to provide situations where this can take place will change as an individual progresses through the system, as will the sophistication of the level of learning. Teaching the cognitive base of professionalism and providing opportunities for the internalization of its values and behaviors are the cornerstones of the organization of the teaching of professionalism at all levels. Situated learning theory appears to provide practical guidance as to how this may be implemented. While the application of this theory will vary with the type of curriculum, the institutional culture and the resources available, the principles outlined should remain constant.

Curriculum↗

Teaching professionalism: theory, principles, and practices.

Professionalism as a subject must be taught explicitly. This requires an institutionally accepted definition which then must be learned by both students and faculty. This directs what will be taught, expected, and evaluated. Of equal importance, and more difficult to achieve, is the incorporation of the values and attitudes of professionalism into the tacit knowledge base of physicians in training and in practice. This requires learning experiences which encourage self-reflection on professionalism throughout the continuum of medical education. Because of the great influence of role models and because most physicians do not fully understand professionalism and the obligations required to sustain it, faculty development is essential to the success of any program on professionalism. Also important are strong institutional support including adequate resources, the presence of a longitudinal program which ensures repeated exposure throughout the educational process, a supportive environment, and a system of evaluation which reinforces teaching.

Education, Medical↗

"Profession": a working definition for medical educators.

PURPOSE: To provide a working definition of professionalism for medical educators. SUMMARY: Thus far, the literature has not provided a concise and inclusive definition of the word profession. There appears to be a need for one as a basis for teaching the cognitive aspects of the subject and for evaluating behaviors characteristic of professionals. Furthermore, a knowledge of the meaning of the word is important as it serves as the basis of the contract between medicine and society, and hence, of the obligations required of medicine to sustain the contract. A definition is proposed based on the Oxford English Dictionary and the literature on the subject. It is suggested that this can be useful to medical educators with responsibilities for teaching about the professions, professional responsibilities, and professional behavior. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed definition is as follows: Profession: An occupation whose core element is work based upon the mastery of a complex body of knowledge and skills. It is a vocation in which knowledge of some department of science or learning or the practice of an art founded upon it is used in the service of others. Its members are governed by codes of ethics and profess a commitment to competence, integrity and morality, altruism, and the promotion of the public good within their domain. These commitments form the basis of a social contract between a profession and society, which in return grants the profession a monopoly over the use of its knowledge base, the right to considerable autonomy in practice and the privilege of self-regulation. Professions and their members are accountable to those served and to society.

Canada↗

Professionalism for medicine: opportunities and obligations.

Physicians' dual roles--as healer and professional--are linked by codes of ethics governing behaviour and are empowered by science. Being part of a profession entails a societal contract. The profession is granted a monopoly over the use of a body of knowledge and the privilege of self-regulation and, in return, guarantees society professional competence, integrity and the provision of altruistic service. Societal attitudes to professionalism have changed from supportive to increasingly critical--with physicians being criticised for pursuing their own financial interests, and failing to self-regulate in a way that guarantees competence. Professional values are also threatened by many other factors. The most important are the changes in healthcare delivery in the developed world, with control shifting from the profession to the State and/or the corporate sector. For the ideal of professionalism to survive, physicians must understand it and its role in the social contract. They must meet the obligations necessary to sustain professionalism and ensure that healthcare systems support, rather than subvert, behaviour that is compatible with professionalism's values.

Altruism↗

Professionalism for medicine: opportunities and obligations.

Physicians' dual roles - as healer and professional - are linked by codes of ethics governing behaviour and are empowered by science. Being part of a profession entails a societal contract. The profession is granted a monopoly over the use of a body of knowledge and the privilege of self-regulation and, in return, guarantees society professional competence, integrity and the provision of altruistic service. Societal attitudes to professionalism have changed from supportive to increasingly critical - with physicians being criticised for pursuing their own financial interests, and failing to self-regulate in a way that guarantees competence. Professional values are also threatened by many other factors. The most important are the changes in healthcare delivery in the developed world, with control shifting from the profession to the State and/or the corporate sector. For the ideal of professionalism to survive, physicians must understand it and its role in the social contract. They must meet the obligations necessary to sustain professionalism and ensure that healthcare systems support, rather than subvert, behaviour that is compatible with professionalism's values.

Ethics, Medical↗

Orthopaedic recertification.

This report summarizes a symposium presented at the 2001 Annual Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Association that was designed to assess the current status of recertification by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) and to determine how it will change in the near future. Recertification is a process whereby the general public is assured of quality medical care by a competent and knowledgeable physician. As a professional organization, we have an obligation to provide quality care. The nature of the public demand for standards ensuring competence and the history of recertification in orthopaedic surgery are examined. The recertification of commercial airline pilots is reviewed, as it provides a model of an unrelated but highly skilled profession requiring intellectual and technical proficiency. The goals and plans of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), which encompasses the views of all twenty-four major specialty boards including orthopaedic surgery, are reviewed. Finally, the future plans of the ABOS for recertification are considered.

Certification↗