Embracing Patient-Centered Professionalism

These days, there are many people in many different lines of work who call themselves “professionals.” In modern society, the term “professional” often is self-designated, applied merely to indicate that an individual performs a certain service as their occupation. By calling yourself a professional, the implication is that you are competent at your job. Traditionally, however, the definition of a professional has been limited to individuals with the advanced learning to practice law, theology, or medicine.2 According to that definition, achieving professional status carries with it certain responsibilities.