The meaning of professionalism in medicine

The challenges facing the professions (and perhaps especially the medical profession) in the new South Africa are complex and far-reaching. Here an attempt is made to place these challenges in local, global and historical perspectives to facilitate a deeper understanding of their implications. A brief outline of forces influencing the social construction of health services is followed by some sociological and professional concepts of professionalism, and some reasons are provided for the public's concern about the image professionals have of themselves. The inadequacy of defensive responses by professions is emphasised and the need is outlined for introspection and deeper understanding of ethics, human rights and values in relation to medical practice.