A Professional � Definition of PROFESSIONAL b : engaged in one of the learned professions c (1) : characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession (2) : exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace : having a particular profession as a permanent career <a professional soldier> Merriam-‐Webster
Profession � a : a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation
� b : a principal calling, vocation, or employment
� c : the whole body of persons engaged in a calling
Merriam-‐Webster
Profession � Vocation/calling – type of work permanently performed by an individual.
� Profession – sociologically, a profession is a vocation which has a monopoly on a certain part of complex knowledge and practical skills which require extensive education – higher education – and by that becomes distinctive in the society.
Medical profession � The first phase of a profession in reaching full professional autonomy is public affirmation and professional control of the members of the profession
� After public affirmation and implementation of professional control of the members of the profession, specific characteristics of a profession can further develop.
Specific characteris5cs of a profession 1. A profession sets its own standards of education and
preparation for practice 2. Students of a certain profession go through a more
rigorous specialization than students of other vocations
3. Professional practice is usually accredited by a certain form of a licence
4. Licencing institutions are run by members of the profession
5. Most legal regulations related to the profession are shaped by members of the profession.
Specific characteris5cs of a profession 6. Since a profession also implies high income, power
and prestige, it is very selective in accepting students 7. A professional is relatively free of lay evaluation and
control. 8. Members of the profession are more firmly identified
and attached to their profession than people with other vocations.
Medical doctors as a “pure” profession: 1. Have a clearly defined education in a broad spectrum
of theoretical knowledge and practical skills 2. Persons without required credentials, and practice
medicine, are subject to sanctions 3. The public can easily identify medical doctors and
knows what to expect from them (which type of expertise)
4. Professional organization advocates for interests of its members, and has its publications
5. Has a written Code of Ethics, and strong intraprofessional responsibility
Symbols of medicine � White coat � Stethoscope � Doctor’s office, clinic � Operating room � Laboratory � Hospital � Modern technology � Titles…
Title � A title concisely testifies to profession, degree and type of the carrier’s education, and the vocation the carrier performs
� Historical background is found in preindustrial society – medieval nobility titles had a stratificational role: to differentiate nobility and to achieve simbolic distance between the aristocracy and others.
� Identification is done on few levels: 1. Identification with professional title and ideology of a profession
2. Identification with the mode of practice which is characteristic for a profession
3. Identification with organizational or institutional position of the profession
4. Identification with the social position of the profession.
Titles in medicine � Doctor of medicine: Medicinae doctor (the one who teaches medicine). Degree awarded by accredited medical schools.
� Dr. med. (engl. MD, M.D.) � In Croatia, the professional title “doctor of medicine” is awarded after a six-‐year medical program
� MBBS (BMBS) – Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery
Titles in medicine � Residency, Specialization: Medical doctors may receive additional education through a residency/specialization
� A residency/specialization is a form of organized acquisition of theoretical and practical knowledge according to a certified program
� After a board examination, medical doctors become specialists of a certain medical specialty
Primarius � Awarded upon: � Successful ten-year work in a medical specialty, by
enhancing the profession by introducing or applying diagnostic, therapeutic or rehabilitation procedures, conformance and promotion of ethical standards, humane approach to patients and colleagues.
� Sucessful activities in the fied of education of healh care professionals
� Sucessful publications.
Titles � Doctor of science (dr. sc.) – note that Croatian dr. sc. is equivalent to PhD in other countries (such as USA)
� Croatian teaching titles in higher education: Docent (doc.), izvanredni profesor (prof.), redoviti profesor (prof.) – English: assistant professor, associate professor, full professor
Professional organiza5on � Creating a professional organization is important for the process of professionalization and is often the first step in professionalization of an occupation.
� The purpose and goals of a professional organization: � Oversight of the professional recruitment � Ensuring the quality of professional education � Protecting the monopoly of the professional scope of activity, etc.
Nurse Prac**oners: Growing Compe**on for Family Physicians? � “Across the country, nurse practitioners and family physicians work together in practices where their skills complement each other. At the same time, some doctors argue that, without ready access to supervising physicians, nurse practitioners are likely to order more tests and consultations and be quicker to admit patients to the hospital, thereby driving up health care costs.”
http://www.aafp.org/fpm/1998/1000/p34.html
Hrvatska liječnička komora – Croa5an Medical Chamber � The Croatian Medical Chamber (hereinafter referred to as “the Chamber” or HLK) is the independent regulator and professional organization of health care professionals -‐ medical doctors in the Republic of Croatia.
� The Chamber promotes and safeguards the rights and interests of medical doctors, works on upgrading the standards of medical practice, protects the reputation of medical professionals and protects patients by ensuring good practice and fostering high standards of care.
www.hlk.hr
Hrvatska liječnička komora – Croa5an Medical Chamber � The first medical chamber was founded in 1903 for the town of Split and its neighboring areas. In 1923 a new chamber was founded for Croatia, Slavonia and Međimurje with its main office in Zagreb. In 1929 Dalmatia was included and the new chamber operated as the Medical Chamber of Savska Banovina.
Hrvatska liječnička komora – Croa5an Medical Chamber � In 1939 it was renamed the Medical Chamber of Banovina Hrvatska and in 1941 the chamber worked as the Medical Chamber of the Independent State of Croatia (NDH) until 1945 when it was renamed the Medical Chamber of the Federal State of Croatia only to have its work permit renounced later that same year.
Hrvatska liječnička komora – Croa5an Medical Chamber � In 1995 the chamber was re-‐established pursuant to Section 43, para.1 of the Croatian Constitution (the Official Gazette of the Republic of Croatia »Narodne novine« No. 56/90) and Section 171 para.1 of the Croatian Health Care Act (the Official Gazette »Narodne novine« No. 75/93, 11/94, 1/97 integral version, 117/97, 95/00 and 129/00), under a new name -‐ the Croatian Medical Chamber. On June 27, 1995 the Chamber adopted the Statute.
Hrvatska liječnička komora – Croa5an Medical Chamber � The total number of medical doctors registered with the Chamber: 17,102
� The total number of licensed medical doctors registered with the Chamber: 16,972
� The total number of medical doctors employed in health care facilities: 12,149 (according to the 2007 data of the Croatian National Institute of Public Health) or 74% of the total number of licensed medical doctors.
� The total number of specialists in health care facilities: 7,098 (41% licensed members)
CODE OF MEDICAL ETHICS AND DEONTOLOGY 1. It is an honorable duty imposed upon medical
doctors to make saving human life their priority and work and live protecting it at all times.
2. Thus all medical doctors must have respect for human life from its beginning until its end, promote health, act to prevent and treat illnesses and show respect for human body and each person’s identity before and after death.
3. Medical doctors will not discriminate against patients allowing any patient’s age, gender, race, nationality, religion, political views, social standing or any other criterion to affect their relationship and will treat patients with respect to their human rights and dignity. 4. Medical doctors will do their best to cherish the tradition of their noble profession by practicing medicine in accordance with the highest standards of care, profession and ethics in the relationship with patients, their relatives, others close to them and people in good health.
5. Medical doctors have a duty to protect the reputation and dignity of medical profession and treat their colleagues with respect. 6. Medical doctors are obligated to use their knowledge and skill responsibly and in compliance with the principles established in this Code at all times.
Hrvatski liječnički zbor – Croa5an Medical Associa5on � The Croatian Medical Association, founded on February 26, 1874, is an organisation of physicians who associate in order to promote the health protection of the citizens, professional and scientific practice, to foster medical ethics and to protect the interests of their profession.
� www.hlz.hr
World Medical Associa5on � The World Medical Association (WMA) is an international organization representing physicians. It was founded on 17 September 1947, when physicians from 27 different countries met at the First General Assembly of the WMA in Paris. The organization was created to ensure the independence of physicians, and to work for the highest possible standards of ethical behaviour and care by physicians, at all times.
WMA � This was particularly important to physicians after the Second World War, and therefore the WMA has always been an independent confederation of free professional associations. Funding has been by the annual contributions of its members, which has now grown to 95 National Medical Associations.
� The WMA provides a forum for its member associations to communicate freely, to co-‐operate actively, to achieve consensus on high standards of medical ethics and professional competence, and to promote the professional freedom of physicians worldwide.
� This unique partnership facilitates high-‐calibre, humane care to patients in a healthy environment, enhancing the quality of life for all people in the world.
� www.wma.net
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