Oath, Profession, and Autonomy

Author(s):  
T.A. Cavanaugh

Chapter 4 (Oath, Profession, and Autonomy) investigates the connections between medicine as incorporating an oath, being a profession, and possessing autonomy. It argues that professional medical practice cannot amount solely to a technique. Rather, it necessarily incorporates an internal medical ethic, to which practitioners swear. It argues that the most basic indisputable norm internal to medicine approximates the aphorism “as to diseases, practice two: help or do not harm”—primum, non nocere (or, “first, do no harm”). It details the implications of medical promising—including self-regulation, education of the public concerning the profession’s commitments, and societal respect for professional conscientious objection. Chapter 4 concludes by noting that the enduring legacy of the Oath—as seen in the renaissance of medical oath-taking in the White Coat Ceremony, for example,—consists in the conception and establishment of doctoring as a profession, a practice incorporating its own publicly avowed ethic.

Author(s):  
Igor Yurievich Rodchenko

The problematic issues of the development of self-ordering mechanisms in the public administration system are determined, with observance of their division into institutional, functional and evolutionary parts. The institutional part includes self-regulation mechanisms implemented in the models of subject-subject interaction at the levels of higher, central and local government bodies, as well as in models of object-object interaction between them. The most important in the institutional part of self-governing mechanisms are those that ensure: the separation of powers between branches of government; administrative reform of the government structure; separation of public spheres of government between central government bodies; administrative reform of the structure of central executive bodies; delimitation of territorial spheres of government between local authorities; administrative-territorial reform; formation and implementation of the structure of the power hierarchy; administrative reform of the structure of the power hierarchy. The functional part includes the mechanisms of self-regulation, realized in the model of object-object interaction “system of state power — social sphere, industry and relations”. The most important parts of the mechanisms of self-regulation are those that ensure: the formation and implementation of state policies in various spheres of society; formation and implementation of national projects; formation and implementation of state target programs; state budgeting. The evolutionary part includes the mechanisms of self-regulation, realized in the model of object-object interaction “system of state power — the creation of conditions for social development”. The most important parts of the evolutionary part of self-governing mechanisms are those that provide: strategic management and planning; realization of state programs of social and economic development; conducting constant economic and social reforms and transformations.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aznar

Over the past decade, the problems arising from social communication have yet again become burning issues on social and political agendas. Information disorder, hate speeches, information manipulation, social networking sites, etc., have obliged the most important European institutions to reflect on how to meet the collective challenges that social communication currently poses in the new millennium. These European Institutions have made a clear commitment to self-regulation. The article reviews some recent European initiatives to deal with information disorder that has given a fundamental role to self-regulation. To then carry out a theoretical review of the normative notion of self-regulation that distinguishes it from the neo-liberal economicist conception. To this end, (1) a distinction is drawn between the (purportedly) self-regulating market and (2) a broader conception of self-regulation inherent not to media companies or corporations, but to the social subsystem of social communication, is proposed. This involves increasing the number of self-regulatory mechanisms that may contribute to improve social communication, and reinforcing the commitment of those who should exercise such self-regulation, including not only media companies but also the professionals working at them and the public at large.


1996 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 279-283
Author(s):  
Kathi J. Kemper

Over the past 50 years, health care has grown more complex and specialized. Health-care institutions now are staffed with an array of specialist physicians, social workers, psychologists, therapists, and nutritionists as well as general practitioners and nurses. The types of providers outside of the hospital are even more numerous and diverse: physicians; nurses; nurse practitioners; chiropractors; counselors; acupuncturists; herbalists; spiritual healers; and purveyors of nutritional supplements, aromatherapy, crystals, and more. Intent on distinguishing their "products," providers focus on differences, polarizing into distinct camps such as "mainstream or traditional" versus "alternative or unconventional." Although these dichotomies are simple, they also can mislead. The definition of "alternative" is very dependent on the definition "mainstream"; acupuncture may be an alternative in one setting, but it clearly is traditional within Asian communities. Therapies that once were considered unconventional, such as hypnosis and meditation, have moved into many mainstream medical settings. (See Sugarman article "Hypnosis: Teaching Children Self-regulation" in the January 1996 issue of Pediatrics in Review.) The public wants health care that is low-cost, safe, effective, and personalized. Practitioners of "natural" therapies often are viewed as more humanistic and less technological than busy physicians. According to one study, in 1990, alternative medical therapies were used by nearly one third of Americans.1


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1972 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 636-636
Author(s):  
Norman Lewak

In their "Guidelines for the Diagnosis of Streptococcal Infection" (Pediatrics, 48:573, 1971), Honikman and Massell did not specify whether the guidelines should vary by geographic location. Taking into consideration the economic factors mentioned by the authors, should the same guidelines apply to different areas of the country which have markedly different incidences of rheumatic fever? We are all aware that the public is (rightfully) taking a close look at the quality of medical practice. Practice audits appear to be a certainty in the future.


2000 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 134-141
Author(s):  
S J Tanser ◽  
D J Birt

AbstractThe aim of National Anaesthesia Day on 25 May 2000 was to inform the public about the role and training of anaesthetists. We carried out two surveys of patients attending Derriford Hospital, Plymouth to assess the local impact of National Anaesthesia Day and to assess the public’s expectation of the preoperative visit. The first survey was held one month prior to National Anaesthesia Day and was completed by 93 patients. The second survey was held immediately following National Anaesthesia Day and was completed by 70 patients. Thirty five percent of the patients surveyed were unaware that anaesthetists were medically qualified. This result was not altered by National Anaesthesia Day despite a local information campaign. Moreover, knowledge about our role and training was only marginally improved from 1978. The majority of patients expected to see their anaesthetist preoperatively for less than 10 minutes and would not be concerned if they had not been seen one hour before surgery. Style of clothing was unimportant; few preferred a white coat but name badges were desirable. We conclude that the level of ignorance about our profession has not changed since 1978 and the impact of National Anaesthesia Day was not significant. This may be as a result of the anaesthetist’s portrayal on television, which is known to be an important source of public information on other areas of medicine. If these statistics are to change in the next 22 years new methods of public education need to be found.


2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 304-306
Author(s):  
Ducksun Ahn

The Korean Medical Association (KMA) was established by legal mandate. It is a statutory body for the medical profession. However, the collective dimension of professionalism is a foreign concept for Korean doctors; the KMA is perceived as a fraternity of physicians. Korea’s history of medical professionalization is different from that of Western countries where two different kinds of professional organization have developed: one for the public as a regulator and the other for doctors as a union or trade association. The KMA represents doctors nationally assembled by type of practice, geographic location, and function. Consequently, the KMA became a trade association. However, it is not easy for the KMA to serve two conflicting functions of self-regulation and trading body under one umbrella. It is time for the KMA to build up the organizational strength for the sake of doctors as well as the public. Having a sound trade association is a part of medical professionalism; it can advocate the critical value of medicine against undue influences from employers or governments in the era of industrialization and commercialization of medicine. To achieve this goal, the KMA should revamp its troublesome communication structure regarding its governance. Improving integration among key acting bodies within the KMA can streamline management by better communication. Preventing political feudalism to build consensus within the KMA requires new competencies for the leaders as well as the members of the KMA.


2018 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 149-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Trabucco

Law societies in Canada have long been granted the privilege of self-regulation by the state – a privilege that comes with a statutory duty to govern in the public interest. There exists an access to justice crisis in this country. More must be done to address unmet legal needs. There is nothing new in this, but law societies across Canada are reluctant to implement at least one ready solution. Ontario introduced paralegal regulation over ten years ago with the promise that it would increase access to justice. Evidence suggests that it has done so. Yet no other Canadian jurisdiction is prepared to regulate paralegals as independent providers of legal services. Law societies’ continued resistance to the regulation of paralegals is contrary to the public interest. This paper argues that to alleviate the access to justice crisis, it is time to regulate paralegals.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 314-315 ◽  
Author(s):  

Rock music has undergone dramatic changes since its introduction 30 years ago and is an issue of vital interest and concern for parents and pediatricians. Rock music lyrics have become increasingly explicit during the last two decades—particularly with reference to sex and drugs. Some lyrics communicate potentially harmful health messages. These lyrics are of special concern in today's environment, which poses unprecedented threats to the health and well-being of adolescents, including pregnancy, drug use, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (and other sexually transmitted diseases), accidents, and suicide. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly opposes censorship. According to the Federal Communications Commission, the public owns the airways, which are leased back to radio and television stations that are obligated to produce programming in the public's best interest. Good taste and self-regulation by consumers, media, and the music industry would be appropriate and effective solutions. The AAP, therefore, recommends that: 1. The public, and parents in particular, be made aware of sexually explicit, drug-oriented, or violent lyrics on records and tapes. 2. Broadcasters and the music industry be encouraged to demonstrate good taste and self-restraint in decisions regarding what is produced and allowed to be broadcast. 3. Rock performers be reminded that they can serve as positive role models for children and teenagers. 4. The AAP and other concerned organizations encourage parents to take a more active role in monitoring music to which their children are exposed. 5. Local coalitions of pediatricians, educators, and parents discuss the effects of the media on children and teenagers. 6. Research concerning the impact rock music has on the behavior of adolescents and preadolescents be developed and supported.


Author(s):  
Alison Harcourt ◽  
George Christou ◽  
Seamus Simpson

The conclusion situates the book’s findings in academic debates on democracy and the Internet, global self-regulation, and civil society, and international decision-making processes in unstructured environments. It assesses whether current standards-developing organization (SDO) decision-making is able to bridge historical representation gaps and deficiencies. A nuanced pattern is emerging with increasing inclusion of a wider number of actors within SDO fora. The first part of the chapter returns to the Multiple Streams (MS) framework applied to the case studies on a comparative basis. It identifies key processes under which SDO rules of interaction are established at the international level and explains which interests have come to the fore within decision-making highlighting the occurrence of policy entrepreneurship, forum shopping, and coupling. The final part explores additional frameworks for SDO regulation where spaces for public interest consideration might occur in the future. These are opportunities for inserting public interest considerations into international and national Acts, certification programmes, and the move towards open source solutions for Internet management. The book concludes that, although the literature is expansive on the interaction of corporate sector actors within SDOs, the study of other actors, such as digital rights groups, civil society, academics, policy entrepreneurs and the technical community as a whole, has been underdressed in the literature on international self-regulatory fora to date. In this respect, the book raises important questions of representation of the public interest at the international level by having addressed the actions of actors within SDO fora who promote public interest goals.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 511-528
Author(s):  
Marcel Mauri-Ríos ◽  
Silvia Marcos-García ◽  
Aitor Zuberogoitia-Espilla

Purpose Codes of ethics are important instruments in journalism, as they promote transparency and self-regulation of media, in addition to monitoring the quality of information. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the perceptions that Spanish journalists have of the effectiveness of codes of ethics and to evaluate the different personal and professional variables which condition this vision. Design/methodology/approach The methodology used in the present study is based on quantitative content analysis using the survey technique. This technique makes it possible to obtain empirical data on various key aspects of the profession that are determining factors in ascertaining Spanish journalists’ views of one of the instruments of accountability that is external to the media: general ethical codes. Findings The results show that Spanish journalists are largely confident in the effectiveness of ethical codes in their profession. Likewise, it was seen that variables such as age, professional experience or the media with which they work influence the perceptions that professionals have of such instruments. Originality/value If understanding journalism as a profession whose mission is to guarantee the citizens their right to information, then it is essential to be familiar with the tools provided by the profession itself to be accountable to the public regarding this professional mission. Hence the importance of instruments of accountability and the perceptions of the professionals themselves regarding their effectiveness.


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