Biomaterial Database

The fate of idealism in modern medicine. 1994

Aaron Manson

Department of Medicine, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, USA.

William Osler's description of the ideal physician remains the dominant character-ideal for modern physicians. He believed that the personality traits that resulted from a belief in ascetic Protestantism, what has been called the Puritan temper, were essential in the practice of medicine. However, this idealism has been weakened by modern psychological theories which view idealism as an illness. In a culture oriented to health, rather than virtue, as an ultimate ideal, physicians can help develop a science of limits.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008511	Medicine	The art and science of studying, performing research on, preventing, diagnosing, and treating disease, as well as the maintenance of health.	Insurance Medicine,Medical Specialities,Medical Specialties,Medical Specialty,Specialities, Medical,Specialties, Medical,Specialty, Medical,Insurance Medicines,Medical Speciality,Medicine, Insurance,Medicines, Insurance,Speciality, Medical
D009014	Morals	Standards of conduct that distinguish right from wrong.	Morality
D010684	Philosophy	A love or pursuit of wisdom. A search for the underlying causes and principles of reality. (Webster, 3d ed)	Hedonism,Stoicism,Pharmacy Philosophy,Philosophical Overview,Overview, Philosophical,Overviews, Philosophical,Pharmacy Philosophies,Philosophical Overviews,Philosophies,Philosophies, Pharmacy,Philosophy, Pharmacy
D010819	Physician's Role	The expected function of a member of the medical profession.	Physicians' Role,Physician Role,Physician's Roles,Physicians Role,Physicians' Roles,Role, Physician's,Role, Physicians',Roles, Physician's,Roles, Physicians'
D010820	Physicians	Individuals licensed to practice medicine.	Physician
D011584	Psychology	The science dealing with the study of mental processes and behavior in man and animals.	Factors, Psychological,Psychological Factors,Psychological Side Effects,Psychologists,Psychosocial Factors,Side Effects, Psychological,Factor, Psychological,Factor, Psychosocial,Factors, Psychosocial,Psychological Factor,Psychological Side Effect,Psychologist,Psychosocial Factor,Side Effect, Psychological
D012067	Religion	A set of beliefs concerning the nature, cause, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency. It usually involves devotional and ritual observances and often a moral code for the conduct of human affairs. (Random House Collegiate Dictionary, rev. ed.)	Prayer,Religious Beliefs,Religious Ethics,Beliefs, Religious,Ethic, Religious,Prayers,Religions,Religious Belief
D002835	Christianity	The religion stemming from the life, teachings, and death of Jesus Christ: the religion that believes in God as the Father Almighty who works redemptively through the Holy Spirit for men's salvation and that affirms Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior who proclaimed to man the gospel of salvation. (From Webster, 3d ed)	Stigmata,Christian Ethics,Christian Ethic,Ethic, Christian,Ethics, Christian
D004501	Education, Medical	Use for general articles concerning medical education.	Medical Education
D004992	Ethics, Medical	The principles of professional conduct concerning the rights and duties of the physician, relations with patients and fellow practitioners, as well as actions of the physician in patient care and interpersonal relations with patient families.	Medical Ethics