Professionalism is fundamental to good medical practice. It benefits patients, increases the job satisfaction of doctors, makes for superior organisations, and improves the productivity of health systems. In its last report, the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) defined professionalism as ‘a set of values, behaviours and relationships that underpin the trust the public has in doctors’. Since the publication of this work, society and healthcare have undergone major transformations with profound implications for professionalism. The main aim of this report is to help doctors improve their professionalism in practical ways, describing seven professional roles. Many doctors working in the UK are currently not content in their roles, and promoting professionalism may be the best response to their discontent.
