Thomas R. Cole • Thelma Jean Goodrich
Ellen R. Gritz
Editors

2009

Physicians, Scientists, and the Pressures
of Success

Altruism and self-governance, in addition to an evolving body of knowledge, are among the most important attributes of a learned profession. In medicine, altruism means placing the patient’s interests above the physician’s interest. Altruism also implies the responsibility of physicians to teach the learned profession to their students.