Ethics starts with the professional's values. We need to put human happiness before our own transitory pleasures. The functions that professions perform will always be satisfied by some social arrangement. But it does not have to be satisfied by a profession as we have used that term. If the professions do not or cannot guarantee both the competence and the trustworthiness of professionals, then that guarantee will have to be provided by others.
Professional obligations arise out of the professional competence that is required of professionals.
Such obligations would include the obligation to keep current in professional knowledge and skills and the obligation to study conscientiously while in the professional preparation program. Where such personality traits as diplomacy, tact, discipline, courage, obedience, honesty, friendliness, concern, etc., are part of one's overall professional competence, then there are special obligations to develop those personality traits. It is difficult to identify a profession where such personality traits, or similar ones, are not part of what counts as competence. And since competence is morally important, developing that bedside manner as a personality trait becomes important. There is a common problem which we should address now.