Title: Professionalism in Medicine

Authors: J. Corey Williams, Ashley Walker, Virgie Tovar, Enrico Castillo, Jaya Aysola

This video examines how traditional concepts of medical professionalism can perpetuate bias and discrimination against healthcare professionals when expectations are vague, non-specific, or extend beyond work performance to personal characteristics. The video highlights how norms related to professionalism have historically reflected the identities and values of groups that have traditionally held a disproportionate amount of power within medicine. When these norms remain unexamined and disconnected from work performance, they can reinforce harmful power hierarchies, produce discriminatory experiences, and contribute to the exclusion and attrition of students, trainees, and healthcare professionals from marginalized groups. Through personal narratives and research findings, the video illustrates the potential consequences of discriminatory professionalism standards for workforce well-being, belonging, and retention, and concludes by encouraging healthcare professionals and institutions to critically examine and revise their professionalism policies and practices.