The Medical Professionalism Conference 2023, hosted by RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, is taking place today. Over 700 delegates from more than 20 countries are expected to attend the various sessions and keynote addresses throughout the day for this year’s hybrid event.

Presented on behalf of RCSI by Professor Denis Harkin, Chair of Medical Professionalism at RCSI, the theme for this year’s event is 'Professionalism: The Cost of Caring'.

Speaking ahead of today’s conference Professor Harkin said: “Professionalism is about having integrity, empathy and sincere regard for the wellbeing of our patients and striving to ensure our health service meets the needs of all our patients.

“Today’s conference brings a worldwide audience and international experts to RCSI to debate and find solutions to the foremost challenges facing healthcare today: reinforcing professionalism, preventing burnout, maintaining empathy and enhancing public health.”

High-level speakers

Speakers at the conference include experts from the Macquarie University, the Mayo Clinic and McGill University as well as many other high-level national and international experts who will present keynote addresses on pertinent topics including:

• 'Medical professionalism: my reflections' – Dr Tony Holohan, former CMO of Ireland
• 'Measuring the effectiveness of a professional accountability program to reduce unprofessional behaviour by co-workers in hospitals' – Professor Johanna Westbrook, Macquarie University
• 'Self-care and supporting doctors in practice' – Professor Colin West, Mayo Clinic
• 'Empathy, educating our youth to care and lessons for healthcare’ – Professor Patrick Dolan, University of Galway
• 'First, do no harm: reflections on neurosugery, Ukraine and humanism' – Dr Henry Marsh, author, Do No Harm

Patient benefits

The conference will be chaired by Professor Hannah McGee, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, RCSI and Ms Sharon Morrow, CEO, Bon Secours Hospital Dublin.

Professionalism describes the values, behaviours and relationships that underpins public trust in doctors and health and social care professionals.

RCSI is a leader nationally in professionalism, with a dedicated Centre for Professionalism in Medicine and Health Sciences. Our vision is to advance medical professionalism to benefit patients through research, education and enhancement of clinical practice.

The Medical Professionalism Conference 2023 is hosted by RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences and supported by the Bon Secours Health System and the Medical Protection Society.