Professional Autonomy in the Medical Field

Abstract

Professionals subscribe to a given set of shared core values which define their profession. In medicine they relate to the saving of life and healing of the sick. Autonomy is concerned with the extent to which the professional body can set its own rules and standards which illustrate the ethos of the profession and define its character. It is the professionals collectively who monitor the profession in terms of procedures, practice, entry requirements and licences. Society′s role is to determine what is appropriate or acceptable behaviour by professionals and it is increasingly asking about medical activities from a standpoint of priorities of need, appropriateness and value for money. There have traditionally been two types of professional group, random and clustered but we are now beginning to see the emergence of a third type, the managed group. The management of clustered professional groups is extremely difficult. Professional and academic freedoms are jealously guarded while organizational goals are relegated in comparison. The task facing managers in health care is daunting but there are signs of progress. We are beginning to see the emergence of a new partnership between clinicians and managers with agreement on collective interpretation of clinical values leading to the development of an enhanced ethos of health care which is better suited to the needs of the patients.

Citation

Kennerley, J.A. (1993), "Professional Autonomy in the Medical Field", Journal of Management in Medicine, Vol. 7 No. 2, pp. 43-47. https://doi.org/10.1108/02689239310036945