Shifting from 'Medical Ethics' to 'Professional Identity Formation' Education
10.35301/ksme.2025.28.3.183
- Author:
Eun Kyung EO
1
Author Information
1. Clinical Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea
- Publication Type:Commentary
- From:
Korean Journal of Medical Ethics
2025;28(3):183-188
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Medical ethics education aims not only to cultivate ethically aware physicians but also to foster public trust in healthcare professionals (HP) and healthcare systems by promoting ethical conduct and professional attitudes among HP. With the shift from medicine-centered to patient-centered care, and in the interest of ensuring patient safety, the World Health Organization (WHO)’s Framework for Action on Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice (IPECP) highlights the need for collaborative, patient-centered education for all HP. This article argues that medical ethics education must be expanded to encompass professional identity formation (PIF) and be integrated throughout undergraduate and postgraduate education and training. Furthermore, PIF education should be provided not only to doctors, nurses, and dentists but to all HP involved in patient care.This broader approach supports high-quality care within systems of interprofessional collaboration (IPC). To achieve this, the ethics educator training program currently offered by the Korean Society for Medical Ethics should be continued and expanded to include all HP.
