although an etical famework that takes seriously development of the virtuous life, of morally good people, is of crucial importance today, it cannot be direct assistance in formulating an applied normative ethics, that is, in clarifying and applying guidelines for moral decision - making in the actual practice of the professions. the virtues or traits of character which see, essential to and implied by the practice of medicine (respect, caring, compassion, sensitivity to the needs of others, intergrity and the like)are either assumed to be present in the adult professional to some degree or are uaually held before professionals in their training as composing the model of the good doctor