ABSTRACT
From time to time the medical profession is challenged by serious incidents and has to re-examine its professional function and its relationship with the public. These challenges provide an opportunity for the profession to ask some fundamental questions. Questions such as: what is the basic professional philosophy of the medical profession; how must its members behave in all circumstances; how is the profession perceived by the public and what improvements are necessary to uphold practice standards and professional ethics? Much of the social interaction in hospital between the doctor and the public is in the consulting situation where the doctor makes the diagnosis and prescribes treatment. A member of the public, once in the consulting room, becomes a passive participant in the consultation process. The medical model of care reinforces the assumption of professional autonomy on the part of the doctors with a corresponding attitude of benign paternalism.
