A New Curricular Challenge John D. Emhardt, M.D. , Immediate Past President P rofessionalism. This is a daunting task to be sure, but all accredited anesthesiology residencies will be required to try. In order to create such a curriculum, we must first establish a definition that includes aspects which are appropriate to anesthesiology. Then we must create a curriculum that teaches aspects of professionalism in anesthesiology. Finally, we must utilize assessment tools to determine if our students have learned the subject, and we must also determine if our curriculum itself requires changes.
Professionalism is defined in different ways by different organizations.
ABIM states that professionalism in medicine requires the physician to serve the interests of the patient above his or her self interest. Professionalism aspires to altruism, accountability, excellence, duty, service, honor, integrity, and respect for others. This definition, applied to anesthesiology, is colored by the fact that the anesthesiologist s encounter with a patient is generally very brief and that the patient is not conscious for much of the time spent with the anesthesiologist. Therefore, this definition may not lead to the best judgment regarding the anesthesiologist s degree of professionalism. Our patient care is so unique and so focused that the patient is critically dependent upon us for that brief time.