Professionalism, where are you?

The practice of medicine continues to evolve in ways that are not always compatible with good patient care, and physicians now control less and less of their practices. One of the casualties of the new health economics is the concept of professionalism, which becomes more difficult to adhere to in the face of restrictions placed by outside forces. Nevertheless, physicians can maintain a sense of professionalism despite all the difficulties. Indeed, we must do so in order to remain true to our ideals.