Shaping medical professionalism in pre-clinical medical students: students’ perspective

Journal Article

• Magazine \ Newspaper: Biomedical Research

Publication Abstract

Objectives: Medical professionalism is an essential aspect of medical education and clinical practice
globally. It symbolizes the nature, responsibilities and distinctiveness of medical students and physicians.
The significance of medical professionalism has been highlighted as it involves an ongoing conversation.
This study aimed to determine the medical students’ perspectives towards the teaching medical
Professionalism course in medical schools.
Method: For this study a cross-sectional based well-structured English language questionnaire survey
was administered. The questionnaire was distributed among 238 second year male and female medical
students. 136 (57.14%) participants were male and 102 (42.85%) were female medical students. The
questionnaire comprised of 14 items, students' feedback was recorded on teaching medical
Professionalism and assessment system.
Results: Out of 238 students: 55.5% of the students’ responses were positive about their pre-knowledge
regarding the medical professionalism course. 14.7% medical students agreed and 16% disagreed for
keeping professionalism course in medical schools. However, 69.3% students’ responses remained
neutral. As far as the lectures were concerned in order to perceive the professionalism course 47.1% of
the total students “agreed” and 18.9 % of students “disagreed”. Regarding the participants’ perceptions
on assessment system, 71% students reported that the professionalism course should not be evaluated by
MCQs. The majority of males (72.8%) and females (68.6%) were not in favor of course evaluation being
based on the MCQs.
Conclusion: Majority of the medical students showed positive pre knowledge about medical
professionalism course. Medical students were less likely interested to keep the medical professionalism
course in medical schools. However, they were highly satisfied with the instructors for properly utilizing
the technology during the study sessions. Medical professionalism course needs time and further
improvements in making the students understand about the objectives and significance of the medical
professionalism course in academic and clinical practice.