AAGCRP Advocacy to Excellence

Pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists occupy an important place in society, as privileged and trusted advocates for the well-being of children. One of the unique aspects of professionalism within the pediatric context is the multilateral interactions of the child patient, the family and other health care and social support services providers. Such principles must apply to trainees and private practitioners.

Educational initiatives and continuing medical education for practicing pediatricians include the principles and practice of professionalism. Professionalism is part of the core curriculum for trainees in pediatrics at the Academic Center of the scientific research center of “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”, which principles include:

• HONESTY AND INTEGRITY—embody the principles of fairness, the ability to meet commitments and keep one’s word, and the duty to be intellectually honest and straightforward in interactions with patients and peers and in all professional communication.
• RELIABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY—represent accountability to children, families, other physicians, medical staff, community, and ultimately society. They require acceptance of responsibility for errors made, including the willingness to acknowledge and discuss errors and their consequences with the family and with peers, and collaborate in the search for systematic actions to prevent future harm.
• RESPECT FOR OTHERS—involves treating all persons with respect and regard for individual worth and dignity, including sensitivity to gender, race, and cultural differences as well as maintenance of patient confidentiality when appropriate.
• COMPASSION/EMPATHY—the ability to understand children’s and family members’ reactions to pain, discomfort, and anxiety from their point of view, not that of the physician.
• SELF-IMPROVEMENT—involves a commitment to lifelong learning and education
• SELF-AWARENESS/KNOWLEDGE OF LIMITS—the maturity to recognize when a problem involves knowledge or technical skills beyond the experience of the provider and to ask for consultation or assistance in those situations.
• COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION—involve the recognition that patients’ families and the health care team must work cooperatively with each other and communicate effectively to provide the best patient care and appropriate community interventions, including home health services; rehabilitation services such as occupational, speech, and physical therapy; and school reentry.
• ALTRUISM AND ADVOCACY—refer to the unselfish regard or devotion to the welfare of others.

Patient well-being should be the primary motivating factor in patient care, ahead of physicians’ own interests and needs.

The integration of values that emphasize not only individual rights and freedoms but the teamwork that is essential to the practice of medicine is key to achieving one’s professional goals within pediatrics. These values include:

• RESPONSIBILITIES TO PATIENTS AND FAMILIES—It refers to the collaborative relationship that involves pediatricians, patients, and parents, with recognition of appropriate boundaries in patient care, and promotion of the concepts of respect for privacy, nondiscrimination, and conflict resolution.

• RESPONSIBILITIES TO OTHER HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND HEALTH CARE AND SUPPORT SERVICES PROVIDERS—entails treating each other and all other professionals, including individuals who provide ancillary services to patients, with integrity, honesty, and respect in daily interactions.
• RESPONSIBILITIES TO COMMUNITIES—refers to the collaborative relationship between a pediatrician and the wider community to address issues of advocacy for child health and effective use of health care and public health resources.
• RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE PROFESSION— it involves subscribing to and acting on the concepts of lifelong learning, willingness to teach and contribute to medical knowledge, engaging in self-care, treating one’s team with respect, and communicating effectively. Furthermore, promoting the practice of medicine with integrity now and in the future; and working toward a system of medical regulation that combines professional, organizational, and patients’ perspectives with a goal of strengthening the medical profession’s accountability for its own performance.