Attitudes toward Medical Professionalism and Professional Medical Practices in Medical Students of Qazvin

Abstract

Introduction: The literature supports the inclusion of professional education in undergraduate education. We assessed the attitudes of undergraduate medical students toward medical professionalism in Qazvin University of Medical Sciences during the educational year of 2014-2015. Methods: All undergraduate medical students, in clerkship and internship levels, enrolled in a descriptive study in Qazvin University of Medical Sciences. Data were gathered based on a questionnaire adjusted by the culture considerations of the country. Analyses were performed by SPSS software. Results: A total of 131 medical students and interns (62.6% female) with the mean age of 24.6±1.12 years old participated. Forty two percent of the participants were studying in the fifth (last) year of medical school and 57% were in internship level. Most trainees believed that learning about ethics and professionalism is necessary and should be taught and learned. Medical ethics course should be formally taught in the medical school in opinion of half of the trainees while the others preferred to consider it as an elective. The majority of participants (94.5%) believed that learning medical professionalism needs more than only a theoretical course. A longitudinal approach for teaching medical ethics and professionalism was the most agreed format rather than a time-limited course. There was a significant difference between attitude of the students and interns in terms of necessity of lifelong learning and having updated knowledge (p=0.044), Interprofessional collaboration and team-work (p=0.032) and the importance of continuous education (p=0.030). Also, frequency of professional behaviors [e.g. number of weekly studied articles (p=0.025), use of previous notation (p=0.015) and participation in social services in the past few years (p=0.047)] were statistically different based on the level of education. Conclusion: The undergraduate medical students have positive attitudes toward the specific elements of professionalism (empathy, teamwork, and lifelong learning) but didnt use them in their behavior.