I have my own personal definition of professionalism. To me, professionalism is a deliberate, wide awake, conscious act. For example, my feelings toward my patients are way down here. The care that needs to be delivered is way up here. I have to consciously and deliberately stretch to give good care.
Professionalism is a stretching activity.
It takes practice to be a professional. When you get your degree, when you pass your boards, you just don't automatically become professional. There is a process involved. It takes practice, it takes work and we need, all of us, to be as professional as possible. I mean we acknowledge our deficits.