Lecture by Dr Richard Cruess and Dr Sylvia
Cruess
'Professionalism and Medicine’s Social Contract with
Society' 11 February 2008
Understanding medicine’s relationship to the
society which it serves is a necessity as health care has become of
such importance to both individual citizens and to society.
During the past decade individuals in the
medical, legal, social sciences and health policy literature have
suggested that professionalism serves as the basis of medicine’s
relationship with society and many have termed this relationship a
social contract. However, other names have been suggested and the
concept of medicine’s social contract remains vague.
The presentation examines contemporary
professionalism, endorses the use of the term social contract,
examines the origin of the concept and its relationship to
professionalism, traces its evolution and application to medicine,
describes the expectations of the various parties to the contract,
and explores some of the implications of its use.
Dr Richard L Cruess graduated
with a BA from Princeton University in 1951 and an MD from Columbia
University in 1955. He is Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, and a
Member of the Centre for Medical Education at McGill University. He
was President of the Canadian Orthopedic Association (1977-1978),
the American Orthopedic Research Society (1975-1976), and the
Association of Canadian Medical Colleges (1992-1994). He is an
Officer of The Order of Canada and of L’Ordre National du
Québec.
Dr Sylvia R Cruess graduated
from Vassar College with a BA in 1951 and an MD from Columbia
University in 1955. She is an Endocrinologist, Professor of
Medicine, and a Member of the Centre for Medical Education at
McGill University. She was a Member of the Deschamps Commission on
Conduct of Research on Humans in Establishments.
Since 1995, they have taught and carried out
research on professionalism in medicine. They have published
extensively on the subject and been invited speakers at
universities, hospitals, and professional organizations throughout
the world.