ABSTRACT
This chapter explores how a doctor’s identity takes shape—not merely as a professional mask, but as a deeper expression of how one understands oneself, the world, one’s place in it, and how we believe others perceive us. Using the metaphor of the actor, we draw attention to the tension between outward performance and the often hidden forces that shape it. We argue for a medical culture that makes space for individuality, where doctors can express their authentic selves within the profession —not merely be socialized into it. The boundaries of acceptable physician behaviour, we suggest, should be guided not primarily by rules and protocols, but by the moral compass of the profession’s core virtues such as compassion, courage, justice, and humility.
