title: In the patient's best interest--a call to action, a call to balance.
abstract: Nurses, physicians, and other healthcare professionals often complain that a loss of freedom or other obstacles hinder their ability to act in the best interest of the patient. These barriers cause professional burnout and moral outrage, and may contribute to a migration away from medicine or, more broadly, healthcare. Understanding the historical underpinnings of the phrase "in the patient's best interest," and realizing that healthcare, which is fundamentally a moral enterprise must be built on sound business principles can help healthcare professionals reframe the issue, and reclaim their original commitment to a difficult path.
authors.forename: Norma J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Hirsch
mesh_terms: D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000523:psychology; D003657:Decision Making; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends*; D004995:Ethics, Professional; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D009014:Morals; D010344:Patient Advocacy / Q000941:ethics; D012941:Social Responsibility; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*