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KMID : 1025620040070020141
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Korean Journal of Medical Ethics
2004 Volume.7 No. 2 p.141 ~ p.150
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Medical Professionalism and Clinical Autonomy in Korea
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Cheong Yoo-Seock
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Abstract
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A doctor’s dual role -healer and professional - is linked by a code of ethics governing behaviour and the power of science. Being part of the medical profession entails a societal contract. The profession assumes monopoly over a body of knowledge and the privilege of self-regulation. In return, the profession guarantees society professional competence, integrity and the provision of altruistic service. Societal attitudes towards the medical profession have changed from supportive to increasingly critical, with physicians being accused of pursuing their own financial interests, and failing to self-regulate in a way that guarantees competence. Their professional autonomy in Korea has been threatened by several factors. The most important are an unrealistic national healthcare system and a lack of education in professionalism at medical schools. It is felt that physicians have exploited their monopoly to create a demand for services which they then satisfied. There are serious failures in self-regulation, and cronyism to protect incompetent or unethical physicians. Doctors have put their own financial interests above both individual patients and society. To revive the ideal of professionalism, physicians must understand what it means and its role in the social contract. They must take on the obligations of professionalism and ensure that healthcare systems support, rather than subvert, professional behaviour. As such, they acquire responsibility for its integrity, proper application, and expansion. All professions have an obligation to pass on their knowledge to future practitioners, and the general public. Even if the medical profession decides on ethical value education, it is unlikely to be successful unless it is encouraged and supported by society through the structure of the healthcare system. Healthcare systems can actively promote desirable behaviour or discourage it. Without question, the medical profession endeavors to function within a system characterized by professionalism. Both government and the public should demand the same type of physician- competent, moral, and altruistic. This can best be guaranteed by a reasonable health care system.
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KEYWORD
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Professionalism, Clinical autonomy, Health care system
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