FIMA Year Book 2009 - Federation of Islamic Medical Associations

Teaching Medical ProfessionalismIntroductionThis is a preliminary thought on theIslamic approach to the teaching ofmedical professionalism. It consists ofthree parts:1. The universal concept and teachingof medical professionalism;2. The student-centred approach oflearning medical professionalism;3. An integrated Islamic approach onthe teaching-learning of medicalprofessionalism.1.The Universal Concept andTeaching of Medical ProfessionalismIn the West, the term “professionalism”has been in use for more than a century.It describes:• professional character, spirit, ormethods;• the standing, practice, or methodsof a professional; and• traits that are accepted by peers asprofessional and not amateurish.This description of a professionaldistinguishes the professional from anamateur who lacks any one or all ofthese criteria.1.1 Professionalism and MedicineMedicine is considered to be the classicexample of a profession. The termprofessionalism embraces a set of attitudes,skills and behaviors, attributes and values.These are expected from those to whomsociety has extended the privilege of beingconsidered a professional. In other words, aperson claiming to be a professional mustprove that a set of attitudes and attributesare found in his life.Being a profession, the practice ofmedicine has the following criteria:• It is a moral endeavour;• It requires a rigorous application ofbehavioral and ethical standards;• It requires scientific training;• It is the ability to care for humansin distress with compassion andempathy; and• It is the ability to discipline theemotion and the mind when facedwith a situation that can threatenthe integrity of the set standards ofprofessionalism.1.2 The Medical PractitionerAfter undergoing training, a medicalpractitioner• masters a body of knowledge andskills to be used in the service ofmankind;• upholds the highest standards ofethical and professional behaviour;and• is a trusted professional in apatient-doctor relationship.1.3 Professional ValuesBefore the medical student becomes amedical practitioner, he must be taughtand trained to practise the followingcore values of professionalism in hislife (the combination of the first lettersof all core values form the words DR.CHARISMA):• Dedication• Respect• Compassion and Empathy• HonestyFIMA YearBook 200958