Training Program

General Objectives

Objectives Relating to Attitudes

During basic physician training trainees should continue to assimilate the following attitudes that are considered as fundamental for medical practice.

Attitudes towards Patients

• Awareness of the psychosocial as well as the biological factors in the assessment and management of a patient.
  
• Consideration of the interests of the patient and the community as paramount, with these interests never subservient to one's own pecuniary or professional interest.
  
• The ability to establish a positive relationship with all patients in order to ease illness and suffering, and to facilitate the transfer of information important to the management and prevention of disease.
  
• Sensitivity in performing internal examination. It is important to explain to the patient why an intimate examination is necessary and what the examination will involve. The patient's permission must be obtained and, where possible, a chaperone should be offered or the patient should be invited to bring a relative or a friend. The patient should have privacy to dress and undress. The discussion should be kept relevant and avoid unnecessary personal comments. Questions and feedback should be encouraged.

Personal Attitudes

• A respect for every human being, with an appreciation of the diversity of human background, culture and opportunities. The development of a non-discriminatory attitude when dealing with patients from different and diverse social backgrounds and a non-judgemental attitude to the character, behaviour or beliefs of patients, and a lack of prejudice in dealing with all ethnic, religious and cultural groups.
  
• Honesty and compassion in dealing with all aspects of medical practice.
  
• Flexibility and willingness to adjust appropriately to changing circumstances.
  
• An appreciation of one's responsibility to maintain standards of medical practice at the highest possible level by continuing medical education throughout one's medical careers.
  
• An appreciation of the logical use of guidelines, texts, reference literature and related sources.
  
• An appreciation of the complexity of ethical issues related to human life and death and the allocation of resources.
  
• Critical appraisal of medical publications.
  
• The habit and principle of self-education and monitoring one's own performance in order to continuously update and refresh knowledge and skills during training and as a lifelong commitment to continuing education.
  
• The habit of relating appropriately to colleagues, including nurses and professionals allied to medicine and a desire to work effectively as a team member with other health care professionals.
  
• A desire to achieve the optimal therapeutic response with an awareness of the need for cost-effectiveness so as to derive maximum benefit from the available resources.

Social Attitudes

• Understanding the social and governmental aspects of health care provision.
  
• Understanding the cost-effectiveness of individual forms of care.
  
• Understanding the moral and ethical implications of various forms of patient care.
  
• Understanding the adverse environmental factors and illnesses that may have implications for health and health service provision.

• Objectives Relating to Knowledge and Understanding
  
• Objectives Relating to Skills
  
• Allied Skills

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