What is Professionalism?
Professionalism is the behavior by which we demonstrate that we are worthy of the trust bestowed upon us by the public, because we are working for the public good (Swick 2000*). Professionalism is demonstrated by a series of behaviors and attitudes expected of FoMD members within their FoMD roles, that upholds the highest standards of ethical conduct, integrity, respect and accountability.
What are types of Unprofessional Behaviours and Mistreatment?
This includes but is not limited to:
- Mistreatment (treats others badly, puts down others, yelling, insulting, belittling or offensive remarks).
- Rudeness and Disrespect (lack of respect for others and others’ opinions, foul language in the workplace).
- Bullying, threatening and intimidation (use of superior strength/influence to force others to do what one wants).
- Harassment (inappropriate physical and/or sexual contact, unacceptable behavior in the context of social norms).
- Discrimination (unjust, unequal or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people based on grounds of race, ethnic origin, religion, marital or family status, genetic characteristics, age, gender identity, disability.
- Spreading rumours, gossiping, says untrue things.
- Microaggressions (a subtle, powerful, often unintentional form of discrimination) - Ro & Villareal 2019; Wong et al 2014.
- Sexual or physical violence.
Racism is contained within all of these types of mistreatment. However, it is important to specifically name and address racism to confront legacies of structural and institutional racism (Williams et al. Acad Med 2019).
*Swick HM. 2000. Towards a normative definition of medical professionalism. Acad. Med. 75:612-616