Abstract

ObjectivesProfessionalism has garnered immense attention in medical education due to increased societal accountability and focus on excellence in healthcare. However, less attention has been given to identifying attitudes about professionalism in medical students who are the future advocates of the healthcare system. This study aimed to assess perceptions of Saudi undergraduate medical students towards professionalism.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was carried out among second and sixth year students of the College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia, in September 2018. A self-administered professionalism questionnaire was anonymously completed. Students were asked to provide their level of agreement with 18 survey items using a 5-point Likert scale.ResultsOverall, 288 students participated in the study (males: 49.3% and females: 50.7%), with a response rate of 90%. The median professionalism score was high (71.0; range: 64–76) regardless of age, gender or level of education. Similar high scores were noted in the following subscales: Excellence, 20.0 (range: 18–21); Respect for Others, 17.0 (14–18); Altruism, 12.0 (10–13); Duty, 8.0 (7–9); Accountability, 7.0 (6–8) and Honour and Integrity, 8.0 (7–10). No gender differences were observed in the majority of subscales. However, males demonstrated higher scores in the Duty subscale (males: 9.0 versus females: 8.0; P = 0.026).ConclusionMedical students demonstrated high professionalism scores. Future studies are needed to assess the impact of the course curriculum on their level of professionalism over time.

Highlights

  • - The findings of this study reveal how undergraduate medical students at a Saudi university perceive professionalism

  • This study found that medical students in the surveyed institution had high scores of professionalism

  • The findings of the present study could be used to improve the training of undergraduate medical students on professionalism

Read more

Summary

Introduction

AlKhater abstract: Objectives: Professionalism has garnered immense attention in medical education due to increased societal accountability and focus on excellence in healthcare. Less attention has been given to identifying attitudes about professionalism in medical students who are the future advocates of the healthcare system. This study aimed to assess perceptions of Saudi undergraduate medical students towards professionalism. The median professionalism score was high (71.0; range: 64–76) regardless of age, gender or level of education. Conclusion: Medical students demonstrated high professionalism scores. Future studies are needed to assess the impact of the course curriculum on their level of professionalism over time. - The findings of this study reveal how undergraduate medical students at a Saudi university perceive professionalism. Application to Patient Care - The study can help raise awareness of the significance of professionalism among students, faculty and the administration of medical universities. - Increased focus on teaching strategies on medical professionalism to medical graduates could contribute to their future success

Objectives
Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call