Medical Professionalism: What Is Altruism?

I believe that altruism is a fundamental principle of medical professionalism and is both an interesting and challenging aspect of it. Altruism is ultimately showing selfless concern for other people and doing what is in the individuals’ best interests and not yours. I think that being altruistic is one of the best ways to be professional in a medical environment because by putting another person’s well-being before your own not only shows the respect you have for the medical fraternity but also your duty and the commitment you have towards your patients.
I feel that admitting that you have made a mistake is challenging regardless of the circumstances. For example, if you accidentally break someone’s valuables even though it was unintentional, it is still considered a mistake. By owning up to what you have done and finding a solution, no matter what the repercussions may be for you, presents the honesty and integrity you possess and shows that in that situation you have been altruistic because you put someone else’s needs before your own. This is applied in medical situations as well because many doctors try to uphold extremely high standards and try to be perfectionists and even then, something can go wrong unknowingly, by being truthful and straightforward one shows altruism and therefore professionalism. …show more content…
By accepting their decision, it shows professionalism and the respect you have for them because you understand the importance of their right to choose and by not imposing your opinion on them you are being altruistic and respectful.
In conclusion, I think that by being an altruistic person you also uphold the other important values of being a medical