SeriesThe performance of doctors: the new professionalism
Section snippets
The public's expectations of doctors
When people are ill, they want doctors who are up-todate, thorough, and technically skilful. They expect doctors to listen, to have respect for their views, to treat them with kindness and consideration, to communicate effectively, and to give advice without being patronising. Patients want doctors who will keep their secrets safe, whose honesty and integrity are beyond reproach, and who will care for them even when medical science has nothing more to offer. Generally, they want an open
Professionalism and medical regulation
Medical regulation is under the microscope. For a decade, there has been growing public concern about the way the General Medical Council (GMC) and the Royal Colleges have operated professional self-regulation. To many, these institutions have reflected more general attitudes in the profession and have appeared unduly protective of doctors rather than patients. They have been accused of being inward looking, self interested, unaccountable, ineffective, and increasingly at odds with public
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