The Expectations of the Two Major Parties Involved in Medicine's Social Contract
| Patients/Public Expectations of Medicine | Medicine’s Expectations of Patients/Public |
|---|---|
| Fulfill the role of the healer | Trust |
| Assured competence of physicians | Autonomy sufficient to exercise judgment |
| Timely access to competent care | Role in public policy in health |
| Altruistic service | Shared responsibility for health |
| Morality, integrity, honesty | Self regulation |
| Trustworthiness | Balanced lifestyle |
| Codes of ethics | Monopoly |
| Accountability: performance, productivity, cost effectiveness | Rewards: non-financial |
| Transparency in decision making and administration | Respect |
| Respect for patient dignity and autonomy | Status |
| Source of objective advice on health matters | Rewards: Financial |
| Team health care | |
| Promotion of the public good |