to be hospital pharmacist 1

what do we mean exactly when we say ‘professional’? If you look

at a dictionary the definition is something like the following

1. Following an occupation as a means of livelihood or for gain: a professional

builder.

2. Of, pertaining to, or connected with a profession: professional studies.

3. Appropriate to a profession: professional objectivity.

4. Engaged in one of the learned professions: a lawyer is a professional

person.

5. Following as a business an occupation ordinarily engaged in as a

pastime: a professional golfer.

6. Making a business or constant practice of something not properly to be

regarded as a business: ‘A salesman,’ he said, ‘is a professional

optimist.’

7. Undertaken or engaged in as a means of livelihood or for gain: professional

baseball.

8. Of or for a professional person or his or her place of business or work:

a professional apartment; professional equipment.

9. Done by a professional; expert: professional car repairs.

Being a professional is defined as the following

* A person who belongs to one of the professions, especially one of the

learned professions.

* A person who earns a living in a sport or other occupation frequently

engaged in by amateurs: golf professional.

* An expert player, as of golf or tennis, serving as a teacher, consultant,

performer or contestant: pro.

* A person who is expert at his or her work: you can tell by her comments

that this editor is a real professional.

A more academic example of professionalism is:

‘Professionalism is demonstrated through a foundation of clinical competence,

communication skills, and ethical and legal understanding upon which is built

the aspiration to and wise application of the principles of professionalism,

excellence, humanism, accountability & altruism.’ (Stern, 2006, page19)

In professionalism:

* excellence is a commitment to competence and a desire to exceed

ordinary standards

* accountability includes self-regulation, standard setting, managing

conflicts of interest and the acceptance of responsibility

* altruism is ensuring that pharmacists act in the best interests of patients

and not self-interest

* humanism is behaving with respect, compassion, empathy, honour and

integrity.