Understanding Medical Professionalism

A groundbreaking text on how to deliver the highest quality patient care through professionalism in daily medical practice

Five Star Doody's Review:
"This is an outstanding book for all clinicians and professors, indeed for everyone in medicine to help mentor and self-police the medical profession."

"Understanding Medical Professionalism is a 'must-have' for all involved in the healing arts. The book demystifies professionalism, bringing it from a philosophical, mystical concept to a practical everyday set of behaviors. The twelve chapters, in a uniform way, provide wonderful, real-life stories that illustrate the challenges faced by practitioners, describe ways to deal with those challenges, and help develop the personal and institutional skills necessary to provide excellent and compassionate care." -- Carlos A. Pellegrini, MD, FACS, FRCSI (Hon.), The Henry N. Harkins Professor and Chair, Department of Surgery, University of Washington

"Insightful, practical, and authoritative. Building on their own research and that of others, Levinson et al. offer a comprehensive discussion of medical professionalism from the refreshing perspective of behavioral skills and an enabling healthcare system. Understanding Medical Professionalism has fundamentally reframed the professionalism debate and will likely remain the definitive work in this field for quite some time." -- David G. Nichols, MD, President and CEO, The American Board of Pediatrics

"The authors' ambitious goal of providing a framework for the continuum of physician development of professional behaviors, from student through expert senior clinician, has been met. Students will find the text modular and instructive; residents will benefit from the reinforcement of positive professional behaviors and explication of strategies to excel in this competency; educational program directors will find the framework and tools for assessment and strategies for remediation enriching; and the expert professional will find subtle opportunities to grow to mastership of this most important physician competency." -- Thomas J. Nasca, MD, MACP, Chief Executive Officer, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, Professor of Medicine, Jefferson Medical College

"The authors offer a framework and an approach to medical professionalism that enable us to understand it, teach it, and incorporate it into our day-to-day lives as health professionals. It is a much needed addition to our armamentarium as we work to align the education of health professionals with the needs and expectations of the society we serve." -- George E. Thibault, MD, President, Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation

The ABIM Foundation (Philadelphia, PA) is part of the American Board of Internal Medicine. The American Board of Internal Medicine enhances the quality of health care by certifying internists and subspecialists who demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential for excellent patient care.
Wendy Levinson, MD (Toronto, Canada) Sir John and Lady Eaton Professor and Chair, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto.
Shiphra Ginsburg, MD (Toronto, Canada) Professor, Department of Medicine, Scientist, Wilson Centre for Research in Education, University of Toronto.
Fred Hafferty, PhD (Rochester MN) Professor of Medical Education, Program in Professionalism & Ethics Mayo Clinic.