Altruism and compassion in the health professions: a search for clarity and precision

Abstract

This article presents a conceptual model of altruism grounded in compassion in the health professions. The intent is to bring order out of the current conceptual chaos about the meaning and practical operation of these constructs. The theory-based model proposes that altruism is expressed as overt behavior in specific situations that vary in levels of intensity. It assumes that altruism is not a broad-based, cross-situational personal trait; that altruism can be measured objectively; and that altruism can be increased via education, practice and reinforcement. The article concludes by demonstrating the progression from formation of a theory-based conceptual model, development of objective measures, performing systematic research and accumulating an orderly and consensual body of knowledge about altruism grounded in compassion in the health professions.

The Social Psychology of Compassion

“…Positive emotions facilitate (and are facilitated by) resource-building. For McGaghie, Mytky, Brown, and Cameron (2002), resource building revolves around one's ''compassionate core'' grounded in altruism. This core consists of an individual's inner resources and capacities (i.e., thriving and resilience) and accumulated wisdom derived from life experiences.…”

Compassion

“…26 In the light of recent events, medical education may have to be modifi ed to place a greater emphasis on the personal qualities that arise in the doctor-patient relationship and less on teaching and assessment of reliably and objectively measured technical and factual knowledge. 27 The question of Plato's Meno 28 may be unanswered as to whether compassion can be taught, but we should reject Socrates' conclusion that a virtue like compassion is merely a 'gift of the gods ' Such anguish may include the sense of unfairness at being deprived of life's possibilities, or the sense of loss of control or the feeling of shame that might accompany dependency. Autonomy suffers whether the patient is mute or expressive in response.…”

Ethics assessment in medical students

“…Professional values, attitudes, behaviour and ethics were identified as global minimum essential requirements in medical education by the Institute for International Medical Education (2002). Other areas emphasized recently have been professionalism and altruism (McGaghie et al, 2002) and empathy (Mangione et al, 2002).…”