“Professionalism”

(A collection of recent quotations)

by Darlene Larimer, MS, RN

 

            “The medical profession has traditionally enjoyed a highly respected position in society. This position is threatened not only by overt unprofessional behavior and attitudes of some individuals, but also by ongoing changes in the health care system. Rapid advances in medical and technology are putting increased pressure on medical professionals to process huge quantities of information, with requirements for continuous learning and upgrading knowledge and skills, which are time, consuming but essential.  Changes in the health care system and reimbursement have created a competitive environment with new associated stress factors.  All of these changes to the venerated status quo of the medical profession have created an environment that may have a negative impact on professional behavior.  These new demands and expectations of the public and the medical community have altered the image of the professional:  Professionalism, once so ingrained in that image, must be preserved and enhanced.

            While knowledge and technical skills are crucial in medicine and science, the manner in which they are used is equally important.  In addition to competence in their field, all medical professionals must strive to retain those humanistic qualities – integrity, respect, and compassion – that constitute the essence of professionalism.  The core of professionalism thus includes altruism, accountability, excellence, duty, service, honor, integrity, and respect for others.  These qualities apply to all aspects of the professional’s life, including relationships between medical professionals, between specialties, and between professional organizations. With the external pressures imposed on it, the medical profession is facing a critical moment in time:  its ability to retain its leadership role in society depends largely on its willingness to abide by a standard of excellence and behavior that requires commitment by each individual to professional ethics and high standards of moral and ethical behavior.”

(University of Kansas- October, 2000 http://allnurses.com/forums/f8/whatis professionalism-2423.htm)

 

            La Sala and Nelson in the article, “What Contributes to Professionalism?” MEDSURG Nursing of February 2005 states that, “first impressions transmit powerful messages.” A well-dressed appearance tends to convey a higher level of knowledge and a sincere interest in advancement; whereas, a disheveled worker gives the impression of being disinterested, marginal performer. (pg.63) “To conform to a traditional dress and appearance standard, nurses might consider a number of areas that influence first impressions.  Clothing and hair should be neat and clean, and project and image that the nurse is serious about the work to be provided. Hair should be well groomed and neat in appearance, including facial hair for men. Nails should be short, clean, and manicured without unnatural colored polishes or added markings or jewels. In addition, artificial nails are not appropriate due to disease- borne potential (Arnold and Boggs, 2004, Schuster, 2000).  The nurse’s role should be one of influence.”(Pg.64)

 

            Jeffrey Zurlinden, in his article, “Everything You Need to Know About Interviewing You Learned in Kindergarten”, Nursing Spectrum – 2004 states that “every nurse who interviews wants to stand out from the others, to be remembered as the most exceptional candidate. Nurse recruiters admit that their most memorable job applicants stood out because of their attitudes and personalities. Technical skills can be learned, but personalities are difficult to change. Given a choice of nurses who are equally qualified, recruiters will almost always select the nurse who is enthusiastic and congenial. Recruiters also look for compassion, a commitment to customer service, and an outlook that considers obstacles as problems to solve.”

 

            Even web site http://www.tipsforsuccess.org/professionalism.htm, offers ideas such as “how you look, talk, act, and work determines whether you are a professional or an amateur.  A professional learns every aspect of the job. An amateur skips the learning process whenever possible.”  See the web site for more information on professionalism and tips for success from the Copyright@2005 Tips for Success.org. All rights reserved.  Grateful acknowledgement is made to L.Ron Hubbard Library for permission to reproduce selections from the copyrighted works of L. Ron Hubbard.

 

            “Medical professionals, by definition, are expected to demonstrate professionalism. Common examples of umet professional responsibility are: continual reminders about responsibilities to patients, to the institution and to other health care professionals; unreliability in completing tasks, and misrepresenting or falsifying actions or information.  Lack of effort towards self – improvement and adaptability examples are:  resistance or defensiveness in accepting criticism, remaining unaware of one’s own inadequacies, resisting changes, not accepting responsibility for errors of failure, being overly critical, being verbally abusive during times of stress and displaying arrogance.  Poor interactions with patients and their families is shown by a lack of empathy, insensitivity to patients’ needs, feelings, and wishes or those of the families; lacking rapport with families and patients and an inadequate commitment to honoring the wishes of the patient.  Inappropriate relationships with health professionals are observed in the lack of teamwork, insensitivity to the needs, feelings, and wishes of colleagues with harassment and discrimination creating a hindrance to a healthy and satisfying professional environment.

 

            Medical knowledge is simply not enough. Optimal medical and scientific practice also requires good judgment, respect for the art of medicine and the values learned from mentors and role models and respect for patients and their families. Foe the medical profession to retain its hard-earned prestige well into the 21^st century, a renewed effort toward the revitalization of professionalism is essential”. (University of Kansas School of Medicine quote)

 

My thanks to Librarian Vicky Spitalniak  and Librarian Assistant Pauline Trichill from Carroll Hospital Center in Westminster, Maryland who helped with this research.

 

References Used

 http://allnurses.com/forums/f8/what-is-professionalism-2423,html

http://www.tipsforsuccess.org/professionalism.htm

La Sala, Kathleen B. and Nelson, Jenenne “What Contributes to Professionalism?”

            MEDSURG Nursing, February 2005, Vol.14, No.1

Zunlinden, Jeffrey “Everything You Need to Know About Interviewing You Learned in Kindergarten” http://nsweb.nursingspectrum.com/Articles/KindergartenCF.htm