This paper argues that two characteristics of social life impinge importantly upon medical attempts to maintain high ethical standards. The first is the tension between the role of ethics in protecting the patient and maintaining the solidarity of the profession. The second derives from the observation that the foundations of contemporary medical ethics were laid at a time of one-to-one doctor-...

The development of applied ethics in recent decades has had great significance for philosophy and society. In this article, I try to characterise this field of philosophical inquiry. I also discuss the relation of applied ethics to social policy and to professional ethics. In the first part, I address the following questions: (1) What is applied ethics? (2) When and why did applied ethics appea...

The measurement and evaluation of public relations effectiveness has long been a major professional and research issue. In the first half of the 20th century, there were two research methods applied, opinion polls and basic media analysis. These were used to plan campaigns and monitor progress of media relations activities. In the second half of the century, as the practices of public relations...

Background and Objectives: Empathy is a key element of physician-patient relations, playing a significant role in effectiveness of health care. This study aimed to evaluate the level of empathy of specialist physicians and advise strategies to promote empathy. Methods: All 142 specialist physicians practicing in teaching hospitals of Zanjan City (No...

This cross-national comparison study of four health professions is based on review and analysis of professional policy documents and explores the way these selected professions integrate and structure patient education as a professional function. Factors that are internal and external to each of these professions are discussed and compared between the two countries. Professional policy document...