Professionalism at Jefferson Medical College

Statement of Professional Conduct

The Statement on Medical Professionalism, including the Jefferson Medical College Honor Code, was prepared by several ad hoc committees comprised of faculty and students. This document was adopted by the Executive Council and the Professorial Faculty of Jefferson Medical College and incorporated into this Statement of Professional Conduct.

Preamble:

As faculty of Jefferson Medical College we affirm our deep commitment to the values and ethical standards of the medical profession. These principles involve our conduct with patients and one another where honesty, morality, integrity, civility, altruism, and compassion are the rule. By embracing the values and standards of conduct of medical professionals, we maintain our contract with society and the trust that grants us professional autonomy and the privilege of self regulating our profession.

General Principles of Medical Professionalism:

At this time when the medical profession is beset by an explosion of technology, changes in market forces, serious problems in health care delivery, conflicts of interest, and the threat of bioterrorism, the Faculty of Jefferson Medical College reaffirms its commitment to professionalism. Understanding that at its core the medical profession places the welfare of the patient above self interest, we accept our responsibility to educate future physicians in the values and ethical standards of medical professionalism. We acknowledge that we can best achieve this by serving as strong role models and advocates while maintaining professional relationships based on mutual respect and concern. We must promote an atmosphere of cooperation and learning, of intellectual openness, honesty, and sincerity in order to constantly protect and redefine and make meaningful our core values and covenant of trust with society.