In our ethical codes the reference to professional competence is profoundly important. Many medical ethicists agree that professional competence should take precedence over every other principle, and that competence is the highest expression of ethical professional behavior. Mention of competence , and its maintainence by lifelong learning exists in all our codes. Responsibility to patients, to other health professionals and to each other finds expression in the various codes as well. Being a professional requires a reorientation of one's life.
Ethical codes can only define the ideals.
Like the skills of your discipline, practice makes perfect, and there is always more to learn in pursuit of these special ideals.