This paper aims to identify some of the values held by
physicians in the United States that are relevant to physician
strikes and other collective actions, and to articulate a
position about collective actions that is consistent with
medical professionalism. The concept of medical professionalism
includes several elements to which physicians should aspire,
but the fundamental definition of professionalism is based on
just one of these elements, the virtue of altruism. As stated
by a committee project paper of the American Board of Internal
Medicine, “professionalism in medicine requires the
physician to serve the interests of the patient above his or
her self-interest.”