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Article Type:
Original Research
Article History:
Received: 17 May 2018
Accepted: 10 June 2018
epublished: 30 June 2018
Keywords:
Attitude
Behavior
Curriculum
Education, medical
Professionalism
Public health
Abstract
Background: Professionalism training is a core component of medical education. This study's aim was to determine medical residents' attitudes toward professionalism and self-reported professional behaviors.
Methods: In a cross-sectional survey at Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, 100 medical residents in their first through third years were invited to participate in a survey between April and June of 2015. Participants responded to a written questionnaire consisting of 7 demographic and 42 content items in 4 domains. Content items were rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Results with a mean of less than three were considered undesirable. A non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare distributions in the study groups. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 22.
Results: With a response rate of 87%, a mean age of 31.9 (SD: 3.0) was recorded. The mean Likert score for the perception of residents on the ethical importance of "colleague report" and "reporting error" was undesirable. The percentage of residents' self-reported unprofessional behaviors during their training was high. Moreover, 71% (95% CI: 61-80) of residents believed that ethics should be formally taught in the medical school curriculum. Over 97% (95% CI: 94-100) believed that learning medical ethics and professionalism requires more than a theoretical course. A longitudinal approach was the most agreed-upon format.
Conclusion: Based on the findings of this research, despite a relatively acceptable rate of professional behaviors, residents perceive a need for a more comprehensive curricular attention to practical ethics and ethically important professional development during residency training.
Introduction
Medical professionalism and its role as a subject for study during medical residency has recently attracted considerable attention in medical literature.1 Ethics, communication skills, knowledge, and technical skills are considered the basis for professionalism. In recent years, professionalism education has become a fundamental element of medical residents' training.2 Despite the increase in attention, there are still gaps in the information on this topic. A theoretical or practical model to integrate professionalism into medical school curricula does not exist.3 Ethical and professional aspects are rarely discussed in current residents' courses, and educational programs mostly do not...