Professionalism and the virtues of a doctor
- Topic
Professionalism is a doctor's commitment to patients, colleagues and society, beyond knowing medicine.
What it is
Professionalism is the set of commitments that make a doctor trustworthy: putting the patient's well-being first, being competent and keeping on learning, telling the truth, keeping confidentiality, managing conflicts of interest and respecting colleagues. Virtue ethics adds that following rules is not enough: character matters. Virtues such as compassion, honesty, prudence, integrity and humility help a doctor act well when rules run out.
Structure
- With the patient: competent, timely and compassionate care; respect for autonomy; confidentiality.
- With colleagues: respect, teamwork and reporting conditions that put patient safety at risk.
- With society: accurate health information, also on social media, and fair use of resources.
- With oneself: look after one's own health and well-being to practise safely.
- With the profession: certify only what one has verified and keep accurate records.
In clinical practice
- Accepting gifts or benefits from industry can bias clinical judgement: that is why they are declared or declined.
- Doctor burnout affects patient safety; self-care is part of the professional duty.
- Acknowledging an error to the patient is an act of honesty and integrity.
- Prudence is the virtue of choosing well in the specific case, when rules are not enough.
Legal framework in Colombia
- In Colombia, Law 23 of 1981 is the code of medical ethics, and breaches are judged by the medical ethics tribunals.
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
What should a doctor do with a conflict of interest that cannot be avoided?
Declare it in advance and manage it so it does not sway clinical judgement, according to the WMA International Code of Medical Ethics.
When is conscientious objection acceptable according to the WMA?
Only if the patient suffers no harm or discrimination: the doctor must tell them promptly and help them find another qualified doctor.
Why is looking after one's own health a professional duty?
Because a tired or ill doctor puts patient safety at risk; the Declaration of Geneva and the WMA Code both include it.
Which virtue helps choose well when rules are not enough?
Prudence (practical wisdom).
Connections
Educational content on ethics and health law; not legal advice. Laws and case law change: each page links the official text and says when it was last checked. For a real case, read the text in force and ask a lawyer or the medical ethics tribunal.
Sources: WMA International Code of Medical Ethics (World Medical Association, 2022); Virtue Ethics (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2026); WMA Declaration of Geneva (World Medical Association, 2017).
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Representative model, for educational purposes only.