Vol. 17 no. 1 - January 2009

Patients value us for our human qualities, but they also expect us to rise well above the baser human instincts

When we feel under threat or disadvantaged, the world looks different. Our behaviours can change, and we may compromise our integrity by doing things we wouldn’t ordinarily contemplate. We humans are very good at fooling ourselves, rationalising small acts of dishonesty as inconsequential or justifiable in the circumstances.

As doctors, however, we are expected to meet the highest standards of probity. All the regulatory bodies take even minor infringements of these standards very seriously, knowing that we risk losing the public’s trust in the profession if standards are allowed to slip. Patients value us for our human qualities, but they also expect us to rise well above the baser human instincts.

In recent years, MPS has seen a steady increase in the number of members appearing before their regulatory bodies to defend allegations of misconduct. The allegations of misconduct are rarely jawdroppingly flagrant – most of them involve apparently minor deceptions driven by fear, greed or pride. As discussed in the article, "Playing fast and loose with the truth", we can all choose whether we succumb to or resist such temptations.

Yes, we’re all vulnerable to external influences, but how we respond to them is in our own hands. Please take a few minutes to read the article; it might be easier to resist the occasional temptation to alter a patient’s record, embellish a CV or self-prescribe if you reflect on the outcome for your colleagues featured there. The lesson from their experiences? If you value your place in the medical profession, it’s never worth it.

Dr Stephanie Bown
Editor-in-chief, MPS Director of Policy and Communications

Disclaimer: All information in this issue is correct at time of publishing (January 2009)