5 e-ISSN: 2980-4108 p-ISSN: 2980-4272 IJEBSS
IJEBSS Vol. 2 No. 05, Mei-Juni 2024, pages:
lower error rates and better patient outcomes. This shows that the role of professional organizations in
developing strict practice guidelines and supervising medical practices contributes to patient safety.
In addition to maintaining the quality of health services, professional organizations in the health sector
also protect patient rights. They have a code of ethics that governs the conduct of their members, which includes
a commitment to putting patients' interests first and staying away from conflicts of interest. When patients face
problems or claims related to health services, professional organizations can mediate and offer assistance in
resolving the problem. For example, the Indonesian National Nurses Association (INNA) protects patients'
rights and ensures that their nurses provide safe and quality care.
In addition, professional organizations also play a role in improving the qualifications and competencies
of their members. They provide advanced training, continuous education, and other educational resources that
help health professionals continue to develop themselves. This is important in responding to medical science
and technology's ever-changing development. For example, the Indonesian Dental Association (PDGI) organizes
advanced training for dentists to ensure they remain competent in facing the latest medical challenges (Hafizah
& Fitriasih, 2022).
In addition, professional organizations also play a role in encouraging innovation in the health sector.
They are often part of medical research efforts and multidisciplinary collaborations to develop new solutions
in care and medicine. These organizations can also be a voice to advocate for changes in health systems,
including increased access to better health care. A concrete example is the American Medical Association's
(AMA) efforts to improve access to health care for all United States citizens through various policies and
advocacy (Suparman, 2020).
In addition to the positive impact on health services, health professional organizations also contribute to
the design of better health policies. They have in-depth expertise and knowledge of health systems and the
challenges health professionals and patients face. Therefore, they often consult and discuss with governments
and relevant agencies in formulating effective health policies. The involvement of professional organizations in
the policy process can help ensure that the policy is appropriate to the needs of society and takes into account
the perspectives of health professionals (Morita AB, 2019).
In addition, professional organizations in the health sector can also be a source of information and
advocacy for the general public. They often issue official statements, guidelines, and educational resources that
can help people understand health issues, make better decisions about health care, and raise awareness about
the importance of health.
In the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, health professional organizations in Indonesia also play a vital role
in providing information, guidelines, and support to their members and the general public. They support
governments in dealing with the pandemic, providing care to COVID-19 patients, and disseminating accurate
information on protecting themselves and the public from spreading the virus. Concrete examples are IDI's role
in providing guidance and training to doctors throughout Indonesia on handling COVID-19 patients and INNA's
efforts in guiding nurses working on the front lines of the pandemic (Tarisa, 2021).
The importance of health professional organizations is also reflected in their role in advocating for the
profession's rights and its members' welfare. They strive to ensure that health professionals have working
conditions that are safe, fair, and appropriate to their competence. This has a positive impact on the health
professionals themselves and the health service as a whole. The well-being and motivation of health
professionals are essential factors in maintaining the quality of care they provide to patients.
Human resources in the health field are valuable assets for the state, and health professions organizations
act as representatives and defenders for these professionals. They ensure that the rights of health workers are
respected and protected, including the right to work in a safe environment, the right to receive the necessary
training, and the right to be treated fairly by the health system.
Health professional organizations also have an essential role in addressing ethical issues in medical
practice. They develop a code of ethics that guides its members in dealing with ethical dilemmas that often arise
in health practice. This code of ethics includes principles such as patient autonomy, fairness in health care, and
avoiding conflicts of interest. Through developing and enforcing this code of ethics, professional organizations
help maintain integrity and ethics in health practice (Ethics, 2007).
In addition, health professional organizations also play a role in supporting the education and training of
health professionals. They provide educational resources, advanced training, and certification programs that