Medical professionalism among medical students: A multifaceted evaluation

Background: Professionalism is one of the five key attributes that the General Medical Council has focused on the guideline of Good Medical Practice. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate how the attributes of professionalism among medical students are perceived by themselves (SG) and patients, parents, carers, junior doctors, nurses, consultants and other allied health professionals (NSG). The secondary aim of this study is to evaluate methods of assessment for professionalism. 

Methods: This study was carried out for a period of 8 weeks. This was a multifaceted evaluation gathering opinions from SG and NSG. All participants filled-in a questionnaire, using a 5-point Likert score scale satisfaction.

Results: In total, we had 185 participants: 88 (SG), and 97 (NSG). The mean score of medical professionalism rated by SG was 3.87 and NSG was 3.95. The top two attributes that scored the highest scores by SG were respectfulness and confidentiality. NSG were confidentiality and appearance. The two attributes that had the lowest score in both groups were attendance and punctuality. One-to-one feedback was the most favorable choice of assessment method among both groups.

Conclusion: The level of professionalism among medical students in this study was observed to be positive. There was no significant difference between both groups. Professionalism is a crucial requirement for all medical doctors. It is all educator’s responsibility from all educators to instill medical professionalism from the moment medical school begins.