Prof. Dr. Munir Shalish Hasan: Medical Competence Is Complete Only When Guided by Ethics and Professional Responsibility
As part of Midmak International Academy’s “Experts and Trainers’ Insights” series, Prof. Dr. Munir Shalish Hassan, Head of the Medical Sector, explores the importance of ethical values in medical practice, emphasizing that a healthcare professional is measured not only by their knowledge and skills, but also by how they apply them in the service of patients.
Dr. Shalish believes that ethics are not separate from medical practice; they are an essential component of professional competence. Every medical decision carries a responsibility toward a human being who entrusts their health and well-being to the practitioner.
Ethical practice begins with respecting the patient’s dignity, privacy, and autonomy; listening to their concerns; understanding their needs; providing clear and appropriate information; and respecting their right to make informed decisions, while also recognizing the limits of one’s professional scope and competence.
Dr. Shalish emphasizes that the doctor–patient relationship should be built on trust, honesty, and transparency. Successful medical practice should not be measured solely by the procedural outcome, but also by the practitioner’s commitment to professional responsibility, patient safety, and the patient’s best interests.
These values become particularly important in medical and aesthetic practice, where patients may have high expectations. Practitioners must therefore be able to manage expectations realistically, explain achievable outcomes, limitations, and potential risks, and avoid treating medical practice as simply fulfilling a patient’s request without proper professional assessment.
He also stresses that ethical practice requires professional courage. At times, the right decision may be to decline a medical intervention when it is unnecessary or unsuitable for the patient, even when doing so may mean foregoing a commercial opportunity.
From this perspective, Dr. Shalish believes that professional development should not focus solely on technical abilities. It should also incorporate professional ethics, communication, responsibility, patient safety, and sound clinical decision-making.
This perspective aligns with Midmak International Academy’s approach to comprehensive competency development, where competence cannot be separated from responsibility, skills cannot be separated from ethics, and the value of a professional is measured not only by what they are capable of doing, but also by what they choose to do, how they do it, and whose best interests they serve.
In healthcare, knowledge provides capability, skills build competence, but ethics give that competence its meaning and responsibility.
Experts and Trainers’ Insights | Medical Sector – Midmak International Academy