Stories in the Time of COVID-19.

The time of COVID-19 is the time of storytelling-stories of chaos, loss, and despair, but also of victories large and small, acts of kindness, and deep connections. Stories are a way to pass on meaning from one person to another, among communities, and across generations. COVID-19 stories are being used in the education of physicians, but for whose benefit and to what end? What if the "heroic" frontline worker is experiencing burnout or working out of necessity rather than by choice? What if the battle against an invisible enemy does not end triumphantly but becomes an interminable war of attrition? It is important not only to propose new questions but also to create spaces for stories that do not fit conveniently into standard narratives. Stories help foster the energy and drive to write about what is next and to act as physicians in the service of human beings and their lives.

Professionalism revisited during the pandemics of our time: COVID-19 and racism.

In this article the authors review the current-day definition of professionalism through the lens of the two ongoing pandemics: COVID-19 and racism. The pandemics have led to contemporary practice-related questions, such as: does professionalism entail that health care providers (HCP) be compelled to treat patients without PPE or if patients refuse to wear masks? And what role do HCP play in society when confronted with glaring health disparities and police brutality? The authors propose using care ethics as a theory to view professionalism, as it takes into account broadly encompassing relationships between HCP and society, history and context. Professionalism viewed through a care ethics lens would require professionalism definitions to be expanded to allow for interventions, i.e., not just refrain from doing harm but actively interfere or take action if wrong is being witnessed. Principles related to the primacy of patient welfare need to be re-addressed to prevent systematic self-sacrifice which results in harm to HCP and burnout. Mature care should be a characteristic of professionalism ensuring that HCP care for the sick but be practically wise, highlighting the importance of balancing too little and too much care for self and others. Professionalism needs to be viewed as a bi-directional relational exchange, with society demonstrating solidarity with those providing care. Additionally, given the scale of health disparities, simply stating that HCP need to work towards social justice oversimplifies the problem. Professionalism needs to encompass incorporating critical action and critical pedagogy into health care training and the health care profession to demonstrate solidarity with those impacted by racism.