Learning professionalism: a personal view

Professor John Malins (1915‐92), distinguished Birmingham physician and my mentor during my training years, used to observe that the consultants’ key role is in outpatients. Why? The Royal College of Physicians (RCP), the King’s Fund and the General Medical Council (GMC) are all commendably emphasising the importance of teaching professional behaviour. 1‐3 But can it be taught? It can certainly be learnt, but not really taught 2 ‐ a view to which many would subscribe. Skills in a profession where a doctor needs to be ‘a shaman, a detective, a priest and a friend’, 4 might only be acquired after extensive studies of humanities, ethics, theology, sociology and anthropology, 5 but can in reality probably only be gained by experiencing and observing the behaviour (good or bad) of more senior teachers and mentors. ‘The only real teacher is experience’, Tony Benn suggested at the Hay-on-Wye Literary Festival. The professional skills needed in a consultation must be acquired by clinical experience, argued