Medical professionals are held to some of the highest ethical standards of any industry. Those who work in medicine are not only committed to adhering to these high standards, but they also utilize them to maximize their patients' well-being, which is why Dr. Gregory Duhon, MD, believes business professionals could learn a thing or two from medical ethics.
In many ways, these standards can be adapted to industries outside the medical field. In fact, business leaders in just about any industry can use the principles of medical ethical standards and commitment to patients to cultivate a healthy corporate culture.
In doing so, business leaders have the ability to create a work environment that promotes innovation and long-term success, as well as employee and customer satisfaction. Here are some practical strategies for how medical ethics can be integrated into business leadership practices.
Integrity
Integrity is at the forefront of medical ethics. Ethical standards in the industry are a combination of moral beliefs and the duty to serve others.
The standards help to define how those in the profession should treat their patients — including guidelines on everything from relationships with colleagues and vendors — to how and when they prescribe medications.
These guiding principles are built around integrity and help healthcare professionals provide the proper treatment and care plan for patients while ensuring their safety at the same time.
Business leaders can hold themselves and their employees to similar guidelines and principles. By adhering to a sense of integrity in their work, they ensure that they always have their employees', customers', and vendors' best interests in mind while also working to advance their business.
Transparency
Ultimately, patients are in charge of their medical care. Doctors, practitioners, and other medical professionals make suggestions for care based on data, analysis, and experience, and then pass that information on to the patient, who will make the final decision.
Medical ethics states that all professionals in the industry need to be transparent with patients at all times. They shouldn't sugarcoat any situation, give any false hope, or paint a picture that isn't really true.
No matter how daunting the information might be, the medical professional's job is to be open and transparent with the patient, and then help walk them through what could be difficult decisions.
All business leaders can take a lesson from this. By being transparent, medical professionals gain the trust of their patients, which ultimately results in better outcomes. The same can be true in other industries.
When leaders are transparent, they're more likely to engender trust among their employees, customers, vendors, and partners. Trust is one of the most important elements of creating a successful and sustainable business, so it should be front and center in every leader's mind.
Accountability
Medical professionals are held accountable to their code of ethics, the organizations they belong to, the companies they work for, and the patients they serve.
Dr. Gregory Duhon says this accountability always keeps medical professionals in check, and reminds them in subtle ways how they should act and approach their job.
Accountability is another ubiquitous trait that all business leaders need to adopt. They should be accountable to themselves, their business' mission and vision, stakeholders, employees, and customers.
In doing so, they'll always have principles that will guide them in the right direction and keep them on the right track.
About Dr. Gregory Duhon, MD
Dr. Gregory Duhon, MD, is the driving force behind American Consulting Physicians, a trailblazing telemedicine venture. As an accomplished hospitalist and internal medicine physician with a profound grasp of emergency room, ICU, and crisis management, Dr. Duhon is leveraging his expertise to provide acute and chronic medical care services remotely across 15 states including Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, and more.
His specialization in complex conditions and willingness to extend patient consultations underscore his commitment to elevating healthcare. Beyond his business pursuits, Dr. Duhon's diverse interests encompass Ironman training, culinary exploration, passion fruit cultivation, and a dedication to advancing accessible and exceptional medical care.