Professionalism and the role of medical colleges

Radiography students' perceptions of the attributes required for clinical educators

INTRODUCTION

A clinical educator (CE) is responsible for the clinical training and supervising of students to acquire skills and knowledge during Work Integrated Learning (WIL). The CE can have a positive or negative influence on students depending on their clinical and interpersonal attributes. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory-descriptive and contextual study was to explore and describe students' perceptions regarding the attributes of their CEs upon the successful implementation of the degree programme at the HEI.

METHODS

Eighteen radiography students studying at the HEI in South Africa, from 4 disciplines namely, diagnostic radiography, nuclear medicine technology, diagnostic ultrasound and radiation therapy participated in the study. The data collection tool was unstructured interviews. Data was collected through in depth in-person and online interviews and was analysed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

The study revealed four themes highlighting the students need for CEs who possess personality traits that foster and enhance their performance. These CEs should establish an environment conducive to productive learning for students, encourage learning within the context of workplace-based learning, seamlessly integrate theoretical knowledge into clinical practice and consistently exhibit professional attributes.

CONCLUSION

The findings from the study emphasize how the attributes and personality of CEs can significantly influence students experiential learning (WIL). The presence of a strong moral connection between students and CEs was considered a crucial aspect for successful clinical learning.

Medical students' perception of professionalism climate in clinical settings

Medical professionalism has a crucial role in educating medical students. The role of professionalism in the clinical environment is therefore an important factor in medical education. This study attempts to evaluate the opinions of medical students in the teaching hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) about the professionalism environment in this university.

A sample of 165 students filled out the Persian translation of UMKC-SOM (Climate of Professionalism Survey) questionnaire. This instrument evaluates students’ perspectives on the degree of adherence to professionalism by faculty, residents and other students.

The results of the study revealed that the total score of professionalism climate was 53.9 for faculty, 42.09 for residents, and 50.76 for students and the difference between these three groups was statistically significant (p-value < 0.01). Results of further analysis through post-hoc tests for multiple comparisons among the groups revealed that the students found their fellow students and faculty more professional than residents. The study also showed that the medical ethics course had no impact on perceptions observations (p-values > 0.05).

The study results also revealed that the students found their fellow students and faculty more professional than residents. This finding demonstrates the importance of teaching professionalism to residents since they serve as role models for students.

Further multicenter studies are needed to improve the professionalism climate in the medical teaching environment.

Exploring the Use of a Novel Self-Assessment Employability Questionnaire to Evaluate Undergraduate Veterinary Attainment of Professional Attributes: An Explanatory Mixed-Methods Study

The move to outcome-based education for professional degrees has placed an emphasis on defining what constitutes competencies for a profession. A review of the literature on professional competencies shows the development of professional frameworks that encompass the knowledge, clinical skills, professional skills, and professional attributes regarded as necessary for veterinary graduates. It follows that veterinary education has a responsibility to ensure students have these professional competencies. This study used an explanatory mixed-methods approach to determine whether veterinary students at the University of Glasgow attained professional skills and attributes. Using a publicly available employability framework developed as part of the VetSet2Go project, a quantitative comparison was made between students of different genders and students from separate year groups. Focus groups from these year groups explored the potential reasons for the scores and where the employability attributes were acquired. Participants were asked to provide feedback on the usefulness of the employability self-assessment tool. Data analysis showed that students tended to score themselves low on self-confidence and high on trustworthiness. Fourth-year students tended to score themselves lower on each attribute than second-year students. Results indicate that students are aware of the provision of teaching interventions for the development of certain attributes, but they feel some attributes are gained through experience and recognize the importance of school culture; university provides a period for socialization in a professional identity. Self-confidence is important for well-being and for bringing value to future employers, and educators should consider ways to improve this attribute.

A preliminary survey of professionalism teaching practices in anatomy education among Indian Medical Colleges

Professionalism and ethics have gained widespread recognition as competencies to be fulfilled, taught, and assessed within medical education. The role of the anatomy course in developed nations has evolved over time and now encompasses multiple domains, including knowledge, skills, and the inculcation of professionalism and ethics. The Medical Council of India recently recommended the integration of professionalism teaching in undergraduate medical curricula. The authors investigated whether the initial orientation lectures and instructions given by faculty at the outset of undergraduate medical anatomy courses throughout India served a "hidden curriculum" regarding professionalism practices, and whether these orientation messages could serve as an early exposure to medical professionalism and ethics for medical students. An online survey was carried out among 102 anatomy faculty members across India requesting details about specific professionalism protocols and instructions regarding behavior in the dissection hall that are routinely given to preclinical students, as well as the importance that they placed on professional behavior. It was found that most faculty members regularly instruct students regarding expected behavior during the anatomy course, including dissection practices. These instructions stress attributes of professionalism like humanism, accountability, and honesty. However, there needs to be a more concentrated effort by educators to prohibit such unprofessional practices like dissection hall photography, and better information is required regarding biomedical waste disposal. Despite the absence of clear guidelines for professionalism teaching in medical education in India, the existing framework of anatomy education provides an opportunity to introduce the concept of professionalism to the first-year medical student. This opportunity may provide an early foundation for designing a professionalism-integrated curriculum. Anat Sci Educ 10: 433-443. © 2017 American Association of Anatomists.