To develop a curriculum on professionalism: Students' and physicians' perceptions, and challenges

Abstract

Background: Medical professionalism is very important as a main ability of physicians and its notion and teaching and learning is an issue of interest for decades. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the perspective of medical students and practicing physicians about the notion of professionalism, their challenges in practice, and opinions for the development of a curriculum in medical professionalism. Material and Methods: Data were collected from four focus groups including 28 medical students and working physicians from Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, School of medicine between May and July 2016. All sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed and subjected to inductive content analysis. Results: Participants expressed their perception about professionalism and its features, their challenges to follow its conduct, and professionalism teaching methods and helpful tips to develop a medical professionalism curriculum. Conclusion: The medical professionalism curriculum will be needed to be developed so as to merge the subject of professionalism at all levels of training and education. Challenges to learning and following professionalism have been identified and students need to be supported to overcome conflicts. The supportive learning environment provides students to have more valuable experiences. © 2018, Journal of Advanced Pharmacy Education & Research.