Professional courtesy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Professional courtesy generally refers to the etiquette extended between members of the same profession. The concept of professional courtesy is believed to have originated within the ancient practice of medicine whereby physicians provided services to other physicians without charge. However, the philosophy does not necessarily involve the same courtesy across all professions, nor is professional courtesy a mandated privilege, but is freely given at the discretion of the party extending the courtesy.[1]
While the etiquette is not limited to physicians, the medical profession is likely the oldest and best-known one for having such a longstanding practice among its members. Some other well-known groups that have some form of professional courtesy are attorneys, performing artists, and law enforcement officers.
Within the law enforcement community, the term is used as a euphemism for criminal corruption and racketeering within police departments.[2]
The phrase may also describe the ethical conduct of lawyers towards each other.[3] A well-known American joke, versions of which date to the 1870s, revolves around sharks or wolves extending (or not extending) "professional courtesy" to lawyers.[4]
In 1803, Thomas Percival wrote a classic essay on medical ethics that endorsed complimentary professional care to “All members of the profession, including apothecaries as well as physicians and surgeons, together with their wives and children, should be attended gratuitously.” In 1847, the American Medical Association's Code of Ethics similarly endorsed waiving charges for services to other physicians and their families,[5] This is likely the first modern-day documentation of the philosophy.
Among physicians, it has been historically traditional to provide medical care at no or reduced cost to physician colleagues and their immediate family members.[6] The original purpose of this practice was to discourage physicians from treating themselves and members of their own families.[5] The custom dates back to Hippocrates,[7] well before physicians had attained middle-class incomes.[5] However, in the United Kingdom for example, there is no law against doctors treating family members a bonus of this is that it avoids questions of objectivity and the danger of emotional attachment colouring assessment and treatment.[8] However, physicians regularly providing free or reduced-rate services as professional courtesy must remain mindful in an age of copays, insurance-only billing, and referrals, as the practice can run afoul of the law under some circumstances[9] or redundant in countries which offer universal healthcare.
In 1994, the American Medical Association issued a Code of Medical Ethics Opinion advising that free-of-charge and reduced-rate services were not an ethical requirement, and that physicians should use their own judgment when deciding to extend such professional courtesy.[10]