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A virtuous framework for professional reflection

Andrew JT George, Catherine E Urch and Alan Cribb
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.7861/fhj.2022-0121
Future Healthc J February 2023
Andrew JT George
AImperial College London
Roles: emeritus professor of immunology
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  • For correspondence: a.george@imperial.ac.uk
Catherine E Urch
BImperial College London, and palliative medicine consultant and divisional director, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Roles: professor in palliative medicine
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Alan Cribb
CCentre for Public Policy Research, King's College London
Roles: professor of bioethics and education
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Abstract

Reflection on professional practice (either individually or in dialogue with peers or seniors) will often focus on doctors’ skills. This approach emphasises compliance and competence. This paper suggests that an alternative and useful lens for professional reflection and development can be drawn from the framework of virtue ethics to encourage consideration of the ultimate purpose of medicine, and the character or virtues needed to be a good doctor. This alternative approach supports doctors to reflect on and develop their virtues, including practical wisdom, which orchestrates the doctor's skills and virtues. This emphasis on purpose and character within professional reflection promotes excellence, rather than just competency, and engages with what motivated most doctors to enter medicine.

KEYWORDS:
  • professional practice
  • reflection
  • virtue ethics
  • phronesis
  • telos
  • © Royal College of Physicians 2023. All rights reserved.
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A virtuous framework for professional reflection
Andrew JT George, Catherine E Urch, Alan Cribb
Future Healthc J Feb 2023, fhj.2022-0121; DOI: 10.7861/fhj.2022-0121

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A virtuous framework for professional reflection
Andrew JT George, Catherine E Urch, Alan Cribb
Future Healthc J Feb 2023, fhj.2022-0121; DOI: 10.7861/fhj.2022-0121
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