Some Things Have Not Changed

4 January 2000 | Volume 132 Issue 1 | Pages 85-89

The profession of medicine faces unprecedented pressures that jeopardize physicians' ability to care for patients. This is the perfect time for physicians to look back at the history of medicine; examine our own personal journeys; and reflect on our ideals, commitments, and accomplishments.

To be effective leaders for medicine and health, physicians must work together. We must be vigilant about threats to high standards, research, education, and ethics and seize opportunities for improvement. We need to ensure that relationships with patients, students and housestaff, and other colleagues are marked by trust and healing. The days, years, and careers that we spend caring for others are most sustainable and satisfying if we also care for ourselves and our families.

Many elements are required for physicians to maintain the lifegiving capabilities of our profession. Principles and thought combined with action have carried and buoyed medicine throughout time. This must not change.

Author and Article Information

From California Pacific Medical Center and University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.

Acknowledgments: The author thanks Drs. James and Sarah Clever, John W. Gardner, Lloyd Kitchens, Lloyd H. Smith Jr., and Margaret Kaufman for thoughtful reviews and suggestions.

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