New professionalism in the 21st century

Abstract

Richard Horton1Horton R Medicine: the prosperity of virtue.Lancet. 2005; 366: 1985-1987Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (28) Google Scholar argues persuasively and passionately about the need for a new definition of medical professionalism, as I'm sure the discussions at the Royal College of Physicians were persuasive and passionate.2Royal College of PhysiciansDoctors in society: medical professionalism in a changing world. Report of a Working Party of the Royal College of Physicians of London. RCP, London2005: 66Google Scholar But, to take one recommendation of the working party, it matters not whether a common forum speaks “on behalf of medicine with a clear voice” if those we wish to take notice choose not to listen.The impetus for the changes Horton describes came from outside medicine. Ray Tallis, who was a member of the working party, gave a more detailed description in his book,3Tallis R Hippocratic oaths. Atlantic Books, London2004Google Scholar and I fear his conclusion was rather more realistic. Unless the attitude of the politicians and media changes, we are doomed to be ever running backward. “Something must be done” gives immediate political gain and sells newspapers.The nub of the problem is the “political culture that is hostile to any source of power that is seen as competitive with government”.3Tallis R Hippocratic oaths. Atlantic Books, London2004Google Scholar Part of this culture is the ignoring of any advice or analysis that comes from the source of power. It is the supreme irony that this advice or analysis is dismissed as vested interest by those whose only interests are vested, in either re-election or copies sold.I declare that I have no conflict of interest. Richard Horton1Horton R Medicine: the prosperity of virtue.Lancet. 2005; 366: 1985-1987Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (28) Google Scholar argues persuasively and passionately about the need for a new definition of medical professionalism, as I'm sure the discussions at the Royal College of Physicians were persuasive and passionate.2Royal College of PhysiciansDoctors in society: medical professionalism in a changing world. Report of a Working Party of the Royal College of Physicians of London. RCP, London2005: 66Google Scholar But, to take one recommendation of the working party, it matters not whether a common forum speaks “on behalf of medicine with a clear voice” if those we wish to take notice choose not to listen. The impetus for the changes Horton describes came from outside medicine. Ray Tallis, who was a member of the working party, gave a more detailed description in his book,3Tallis R Hippocratic oaths. Atlantic Books, London2004Google Scholar and I fear his conclusion was rather more realistic. Unless the attitude of the politicians and media changes, we are doomed to be ever running backward. “Something must be done” gives immediate political gain and sells newspapers. The nub of the problem is the “political culture that is hostile to any source of power that is seen as competitive with government”.3Tallis R Hippocratic oaths. Atlantic Books, London2004Google Scholar Part of this culture is the ignoring of any advice or analysis that comes from the source of power. It is the supreme irony that this advice or analysis is dismissed as vested interest by those whose only interests are vested, in either re-election or copies sold. I declare that I have no conflict of interest.