What does professionalism mean to the physician?

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Healthcare Management
• Professional Ethics

Background:

• Professionalism is a critical physician competency.
• Its impact is significant in the evolving healthcare landscape.
• Understanding professionalism is key for integrated care systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define professionalism within the Southern California Permanente Medical Group (SCPMG).
• To explore the application of professionalism in integrated care delivery systems like Kaiser Permanente.
• To examine the components of professionalism as practiced by SCPMG.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of Stern's four principles of professionalism: excellence, humanism, accountability, and altruism.
• Examination of SCPMG's adaptation of these principles, including a detailed breakdown of humanism.
• Review of SCPMG's historical and current programs promoting professionalism.

Main Results:

• SCPMG utilizes a framework based on excellence, accountability, and altruism.
• Humanism is further defined by SCPMG into humanitarianism, respect for others, and honor and integrity.
• SCPMG demonstrates a strong culture and history of fostering clinical excellence and professionalism.

Conclusions:

• The SCPMG experience validates professionalism as a fundamental physician competency.
• Professionalism is characterized by a dynamic set of behaviors.
• This model of professionalism is applicable to integrated healthcare delivery.