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SEMMELWEIS UNIVERSITY / FACULTY OF MEDICINE
History of the medical professionalism
Lecturer: Dr. Péter Balázs
Class Sessions: Medical professionalism as an ethical norm is an ancient behavioural pattern
and theoretical construction alike based on sacral calling. Consequently, roots of the modern
professional mythology may be traced back to the late Neolithic age, but the whole framework was
systematized as soon as in the old Egyptian and Mesopotamian culture. Since the Hippocratic age,
the medicine of craftsmen was based on teachings of natural sciences and the Middle Age
supported the medicine with mythology of sciences, but only the Enlightenment provided the social
environment for a de-sacralized professionalism, nevertheless it followed exactly the ancient
religious patterns.
General part of the topic is concerning the onset of professionalism while discussing different
manifestations and transitions related to ideologies, socio-economic circumstances and scientific
teachings from the Neolithic age down to the latest market economies. Specific part demonstrates
milestones and historic ages, which were decisive in this proceeding: Old Egypt, Mesopotamia, old
age Judaism, early and consolidated Christianity, impact of Islam on Europe, Reformation of the
Roman Catholic church, Enlightenment, the Communist ideology and the social market economy.
Attendance at lectures, options for additional lectures:
Basic requirement: attendance at 8 sessions. In case of justified non-attendance of more students
at a specific session, additional lecture is available.
Justification for non-attendance at lectures
Up to 2 sessions no need for justification, in case of more than 3 sessions missed no confirming
of the course.
Justification for non-attendance at the exam
Only certificates of administrative authorities.
Control of knowledge acquired within the time-frame of sessions
No control during the session period
Requirements for confirming the session attendance
Having attended less than 8 sessions no confirming of the course. Additional sessions, if
organized, are parts of the 10 session contingent.
Preliminary and final marks
Type of marks: five degree evaluation (1-5). Preliminary mark on the written work, which becomes
a final mark automatically except additional questions answered (see below).
Type of exam
Base of exam: homework written about the history of medical professionalism sent by e-mail to the
lecturer (deadline: 7 days before the exam, 5-6 A4-pages, margins, fonts, space agreed at the
first session) Type of exam: each student will get several questions based on his/her own
homework to determine the final mark.
Entering for examination
Student Administration System (NEPTUN)
Modification of data entered for examination
When registered in NEPTUN only after consulting the lecturer