title: Beneficence in medicine: a call to heroism.
abstract: This article analyzes the physician's role from the perspective of medical ethics, with emphasis on the principle of beneficence. The concept is advanced that the physician has an implicit contract with society, which obligates dedication to the patient's good. The essence of being a physician is seen to reside in an orientation to service.
authors.affiliation: Center for Bio-Medical Ethics, Sioux Valley Hospital.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Freeman
mesh_terms: D000533:Altruism; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D010819:Physician's Role; D012380:Role