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Beyond Professional Self-interest: Medical Ethics and the Disciplinary Function of the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom, 1858–1914.
- Source :
- Social History of Medicine; Feb2020, Vol. 33 Issue 1, p41-56, 16p
- Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- Traditional historiography tends to draw a negative picture of British doctors' ethics during the long nineteenth century. The medical professional ethics of this period have been described as self-serving and as a tool to monopolise the health care market. In this paper I attempt to challenge this rather one-sided view by looking into evidence for the practice of medical ethics, not just its normative texts. Focusing on the disciplinary function of the General Medical Council and discussing a variety of its cases, from fraudulent registration, sexual misconduct and breach of confidence to negligence, covering unqualified assistants and advertising, I argue that nineteenth-century medical ethics aimed at supporting the interests of patients and of the public at large as well as the reputation of the profession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0951631X
- Volume :
- 33
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Social History of Medicine
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 141478527
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1093/shm/hky072