ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a guided reflection on the state of theory, research, and practice for ethics education in the professions. We begin with an evidence-based theoretical approach to ground professional ethics education, followed by an overview of the nature of professionalism in society that includes a brief history of the ethics education movement. We then review the general status of ethics education, including changes in accreditation standards followed by current educational practices in medicine, dentistry. law, nursing, and veterinary medicine. Next, alternative options for assessing and promoting the broadly defined capacities specified by psychological theory are cited and reviewed. Last, we offer recommendations for enhancing ethics and professionalism education in the health professions and law to meet emerging accreditation guidelines that focus on outcome assessment.
