title: Claude H. Organ Jr Memorial Lecture. The care of the patient: character, science, and service.
abstract: Surgery as a profession rests on an age-old foundation based on 3 fundamental pillars: the collective character of our surgeons, their commitment to a practice based on science, and their pledge of service to humanity. The past 2 centuries bear witness to the success of surgical science. Significant improvement in the remaining 2 pillars is less evident. Our profession would be transformed in a positive way if we strengthened our commitment to improving our character while consciously building the character of our young, if we made the scientific method a way of life, and if we truly dedicated ourselves to the service of others.
authors.affiliation: stewartr@uthscsa.edu
authors.forename: Ronald M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D013502:General Surgery / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations / Q000941:ethics*; D010820:Physicians / Q000941:ethics / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards; D014481:United States