2013-2014 Ethics and Professionalism I
<-- 2013-2014 MCH Competency Reflections
“In a case where reasonable people can differ, but one thing has to be done, it is up to the leader to do what is right.” Dr. Lisa Parker’s presentation on Ethics and Professionalism was an engaging exercise in looking at two important topics in our training as LEND fellows. Dr. Parker led the discussion by soliciting student’s definitions of what it means to be a professional. Accountability, communication, trust, respect, and integrity were all aspects of professionalism that students identified. This fit in well with the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCH) competency of ethics and professionalism in that this conversation went beyond principles, values, and ethical behaviors and included a broader conversation of the ethical principles behind clinical practice. Dr. Parker then used these definitions to turn the discussion toward ethics as it related to our understanding of professionalism. As we moved towards discussing the ethical decision making process, the definitions of professional behavior that were given by the class seemed to take on more weight. Dr. Parker emphasized the importance of communication and accountability when leading a team through her use of current events. Dr. Parker also spoke from a woman’s point of view, which was refreshing and insightful. The LEND trainees had no problem coming up with other current events and examples to apply the knowledge and skills we’ve acquired about leadership and accountability as professionals.
Dr. Parker also talked about the Platinum Rule of treating others in the way that they want to be treated. Our discussion turned towards Family Centered Care as we applied what we were learning to our cases in the LEND Clinic. We discussed having family members as part of the team in a health care setting and seeing families as “the experts” on their children or “professional parents.” Dr. Parker warned against calling parents “professionals” because a certain level of behavior is expected from a professional in the patient-professional relationship. To highlight this, she shared a story about a surgeon who told a patient that surgery was needed and that the ‘generalization of expertise’ in this situation was that the surgeon thought, ‘because I know how to set your shoulder, I can generalize my expertise about when it is best to schedule your surgery.’ Generalization of expertise is a common trap for professionals of all ages to fall into, but does not lend itself to quality Family Centered Care. This is because, while the professional may know, based on medical expertise when the best time to schedule the surgery may be, only the patient and his or her family knows the best timing based on their schedules, social support, values, and needs. Throughout the presentation, it was evident that Dr. Parker was flexible enough to teach to our understanding of ethics and professionalism, but at the same time, ask thoughtful and provoking questions that allowed us to engage in a healthy discussion around the topic as well as understand what we already knew in a deeper and more meaningful way.