Two physicians assert that pharmaceutical companies' sponsorship of clinical conferences for residents and physicians represent a conflict of interest.
Jeffrey T. Kullgren, MPH and Jerome Lowenstein, MD
A physician argues that the question is not whether we can teach professionalism but rather whether we will teach professionalism, given all of modern medicine's economic and other constraints.
Professional behavior and values are often learned outside the classroom, when physicians act as role models for students in patient-physician relationships.
The use of simulated patients in medical education helps students to develop communication skills needed to interact with patients when difficult circumstances arise.
Teaching physicians cultural competency concepts and skills that will help them overcome the challenge of caring for patients from many cultures and lead to improved patient-physician communication.
Physicians should be diligent in taking a medical history, adhering to the standard of care and documenting their actions during every patient encounter, particularly when there is no established patient-physician relationship.