'The best interest of patients, not self-interest': how clinicians understand altruism.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Altruism refers to acting in 'the best interest of patients, not self-interest'. With an observed discordance between the concept and practice of altruism, and increasing attention to 'pathologic altruism', the role of altruism is blurred in present day medical care. In this background, the required balance of altruistic attitude which needs to be fostered in medical students needs clarity. This problem may be best addressed by the practicing clinicians. The objectives of this study were to explore clinicians' understanding of altruism in the clinical context and to identify the key concepts of altruism which they felt, must be included in clinical practice.

Methods

It was an exploratory qualitative study to identify clinicians' understanding of altruism and the k

SUBMITTER: Sajjad M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8421461 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature