Volume 187 - Issue 5
Medical professionalism: it is really under threat?
Author: Kerry J Breen
Med J Aust 2007; 187 (5): 318. || doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2007.tb01262.x
Published online: 3 September 2007
Published online: 3 September 2007
In reply: My recent article was submitted under the category of “For Debate”, so it is pleasing that Halasz has joined the debate. I am disappointed that he interprets my view as “she’ll be right”. My point is that revising or repackaging existing ethical codes will not, on its own, fix any of the perceived problems of “managerialism eroding the ethical foundations of medicine”. Working constructively, consistent with existing ethical codes, within our health care system, as is also suggested by Green and Bloch,1 is more likely to achieve better outcomes for our community. As I stated and as Green and Bloch imply, this will not always be a simple matter.
I am in fierce agreement with Halasz over steps to reduce erosion of trust,2 but that was not the focus of my article.
References
- Green SA, Bloch S. Working in a flawed mental health care system: an ethical challenge. Am J Psychiatry 2001; 158: 1378-1383. 0_BABHIAEC
- Breen KJ. The medical profession and the pharmaceutical industry: when will we open our eyes? Med J Aust 2004; 180: 409-410. 0_i1091810