Acad Med. 2014 Feb 19. [Epub ahead of print]
Bushido and Medical Professionalism in Japan.
Author information
- 1Dr. Nishigori is associate professor, Center for Medical Education, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. Dr. Harrison is associate professor, Division of Hospital Medicine, Oregon Health & Sciences University School of Medicine, Portland, Oregon. She was also visiting associate professor, International Research Center for Medical Education, the University of Tokyo, from April to July 2009. Dr. Busari is associate professor, Department of Educational Development and Research, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands. Dr. Dornan is professor of medical education, Department of Educational Development and Research, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
Abstract
Medical
professionalism has become a core topic in medical education. As it has
been considered mostly from a Western perspective, there is a need to
examine how the same or similar concepts are reflected in a wider range
of cultural contexts. To gain insights into medical professionalism
concepts in Japanese culture, the authors compare the tenets of a
frequently referenced Western guide to professionalism (the physician
charter proposed by the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation,
American College of Physicians Foundation, and the European Federation
of Internal Medicine) with the concepts of Bushido, a Japanese code of
personal conduct originating from the ancient samurai warriors. The
authors also present survey evidence about how a group of present-day
Japanese doctors view the values of Bushido.Cultural scholars have
demonstrated Bushido's continuing influence on Japanese people today.
The authors explain the seven main virtues of Bushido (e.g., rectitude),
describe the similarities and differences between Bushido and the
physician charter, and speculate on factors that may account for the
differences, including the influence of religion, how much the group
versus the individual is emphasized in a culture, and what emphasis is
given to virtue-based versus duty-based ethics.The
authors suggest that for those who are teaching and practicing in Japan
today, Bushido's virtues are applicable when considering medical
professionalism and merit further study. They urge that there be a
richer discussion, from the viewpoints of different cultures, on the
meaning of professionalism in today's health care practice.
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