PROFESSIONALISM

Professionalism

Professionalism

Introduction

professionalism as "Meticulous adherence to undeviating courtesy, honesty, and responsibility in one's dealings with customers and associates, plus a level of excellence that goes over and above the commercial considerations and legal requirements." Professionalism is not about your job title or self-proclaimed worth. It is not about self-perception at all. Professionalism is about personal ethics, quality work and a quality attitude. (Rubin 2008: 1)

Discussion

Professional conduct and professionalism are of critical importance in the health and human services professions. Individuals seeking care and service, as well as other professionals, must be able to rely on those who work in today's complex health care environment of science and practice.

Anti-oppressive practice builds on a social constructionist model of 'racial' and ethnic differences, as well as differences of other kinds, as produced within a context of unequal power relationships in society. Rather than having a sensitivity to apparent ethnic or cultural 'differences', anti-oppressive practice argues that what is needed urgently is practice that challenges and changes structures of inequality at every level. (Rothman, Erlich, Tropman :2006:41)

In terms of ethnicity, this means starting from an acknowledgement that racism is endemic in organisational structures in health and social care services, as in society more generally. The MacPherson Report, produced in the aftermath of the murder of Stephen Lawrence, offers the following definition of institutional racism:

The collective failure of an organisation to provide an appropriate and professional service to people because of their colour, culture, or ethnic origin(Lencioni 2002:12). It can be seen or detected in processes, attitudes and behaviour which amount to discrimination through unwitting prejudice, ignorance, thoughtlessness and racist stereotyping which disadvantage minority ethnic people.

This policy establishes standards of professionalism and professional behavior for Doctor of Pharmacy students in the Skaggs School of Pharmacy. Because society expects that all health care professionals will provide a high level of professional care, this policy establishes demonstrated professionalism as an academic graduation requirement for the Doctor of Pharmacy degree. (Mondros & Wilson 2004:52)The policy is meant to be consonant with University-wide policies regarding student conduct. It does not supersede any policy established by The University of Montana or the College of Health Professions and Biomedical Sciences (CHPBS).

Fundamental Attributes of Professionalism

Professionalism in health care is based upon values that reflect the very special nature of the healing encounter between a provider and a patient, client, or family. Individuals confronting illness, social disruption or other life-changing challenges are vulnerable, and hence they rely upon professionals to address their needs in an expert, professional manner. (Kretzman & McKnight 2002:20)There are fundamental values of professionalism that are universal and apply to each health care discipline. These include, but are not limited to, moral values such as honesty, integrity and trustworthiness; values that are specific to one's profession (e.g., confidentiality, self-determination), to society (e.g., commitment to excellence), or to oneself (e.g., self-reflection); and humanistic values such as empathy and compassion.

Professional behaviors and professionalism are critical to the effective education of pharmacy students and the practice of pharmacy(Hunter ...