Teaching Professionalism in Undergraduate Medical Education

Abstract

There is a growing awareness, both within and outside the medical profession, that the corporate transformation of the US health care system threatens to undermine the professionalism of physicians.¹ The rise of managed care and consumerism in medicine have led many to worry about changes both in physicians' attitudes about their roles and responsibilities and in the behaviors they demonstrate in the daily practice of medicine. Medical educators have become concerned about an erosion of medical professionalism because of the impact that the attitudes and behaviors of practicing physicians, particularly clinical faculty, have on the professional development of medical students and resident physicians.