Sub-domain:
Approach to practice & care: Professionalism
Statements related to sub-domain:
Personal responsibility for patient care and societal wellness are central tenets of professionalism. Pharmacists
demonstrate professionalism through:
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Personal behavior that reflects altruism, integrity, respect, empathy, initiative, accountability, flexibility,
and a commitment to continuing professional competence.
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Practicing pharmacy in a manner consistent with the provision of ethical, legal, and compassionate
patient care.
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Exhibiting the outward appearance of a professional by being well-groomed/dressed, punctual, and
courteous.
The covenantal relationship between pharmacy and society dictates that the personal conduct of pharmacists
reflects professional values and preparedness for patient care at all times.
Key terms and definitions:
References:
CAPE 2004:
 “Carry out duties in accordance with legal, ethical, social, economic, and professional guidelines.”
 “Maintain professional competence by identifying and analyzing emerging issues, products, and services
that may impact…”
CAPE 1998:
I – G Display the attitudes, habits, and values required to render pharmaceutical care.
1. Provide pharmaceutical care ethically and compassionately
2. Provide pharmaceutical care in professional manner
“Valuing & ethical decision making: making rational, ethical decisions regarding complex personal, societal, and
professional situations within a context of personal and professional values.
Interpret decision making with a context of personal and professional values.
 Recognize the influence of personal values in personal and professional settings.
 Identify and test one’s personal values.
 Respect the values of others within decision making.
 Integrate personal and professional values into decision making.
Make and defend rational, ethical decisions
 Resolve ethical dilemmas through a systematic decision-making process based on clearly articulated
ethical theories and principles.
 Resolve ethical issues through an analysis of the ethical principles.
 Evaluate the ethical accountability of actions, intentions, and outcomes.”
Levels of Performance Expected of Students Graduating from First Professional Degree Programs in Pharmacy in
Canada – May 2011
“As Professionals pharmacy graduates honor their roles as self-regulated professionals through both individual
patient care and fulfillment of their professional obligations to the profession, the community and society at large.
Students fulfill the full range of roles required of a self-regulated health professional. They consistently act in a
professional manner. In a practice environment they maintain the patient’s best interest as their priority.”
Popovich NG, Hammer DP, Hansen DJ, Spies AR, Whalen KP, Beardsley RS, Bell HS, Athay JL. Report AACP
Professionalism Task Force, May 2011. AJPE 2011;75(10)Article S4
“The traits of a professional include: knowledge and skills; a commitment to self-improvement and life-long
learning; a service-minded orientation; pride in the profession and a dedication to advance its value to society;
create a covenantal relationship with those served; alertness, creativity, initiative, and innovation;
conscientiousness, integrity, and trustworthiness; flexibility and punctuality; accountability for his/her
performance; ethically sound decision making and moral behavior; and leadership.”
Hammer DP, Berger BA, Beardsley RS, Easton MR. Student Professionalism. AJPE 2003;67(3)Article 96
Professionalism umbrella with with the following items and the student as the handle/central pole: 1) professional
competence (knowledge); 2) mentoring and modeling; 3) school culture and environment; 4) extracurricular
activities; 5) personal values; 6) instruction and guidance (faculty/practitioner); 7) communication; and 8)
empathy.
Core values that includes altruism/service, caring, honor, integrity, duty, and others…
Behaviors demonstrated by the individual: respect, accountability, empathy, compassion, and others…
Dressing professionally, punctuality, acting courteously, exhibiting good grooming habits, and so on…
Attitudinal attributes of professionals…use of the professional organizations as a major reference; belief in service
to the public; belief in self-regulation; sense of calling to the field; and autonomy.
Behavioral attributes…
“Professionalism in displayed in the way pharmacists conduct themselves in professional situations. This definition
implies a demeanor that is created through a combination of behaviors, including courtesy and politeness when
dealing with patients, peers, and other health care professionals. Pharmacists should consistently display respect
for others and maintain appropriate boundaries of privacy and discretion. Whether dealing with patients of
interacting with others on a health care team, it is important to possess – and display – an empathetic manner.”
“Behavioral professionalism includes attributes such as reliability and dependability; confidence; active learning;
communication respectfully and articulately; accepting and applying constructive criticism; behaving ethically,;
demonstrating a desire to exceed expectations; putting others’ needs above one’s own’ and other professional
behaviors.”
“American Board of Internal Medicine: altruism; accountability; excellence; duty; honor and integrity; and respect
for others.”
Hammer DP. Professional attitudes and behaviors: the A’s & B’s of Professionalism. AJPE 2000;64:455-464.
APhA-ASP & AACP Committee on Student Professionalism. Pharmacy Professionalism Toolkit for Students &
Faculty 2004, Version 1.0. LINK: