Open AccessUsing a Scenario-Based Approach to Teaching Professionalism to Medical Students: Course Description and Evaluation
Author(s) -
James Ashcroft,
Patrick Warren,
Thomas Weatherby,
Stephen Barclay,
Laurence Kemp,
Justin Davies,
Catherine Elizabeth Hook,
Elizabeth Fistein,
Elizabeth Soilleux
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
jmir medical education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2369-3762
DOI - 10.2196/26667
Subject(s) - debriefing , session (web analytics) , medical education , likert scale , psychology , qualitative research , relevance (law) , medicine , computer science , sociology , developmental psychology , social science , world wide web , political science , law
Background Doctors play a key role in individuals’ lives undergoing a holistic integration into local communities. To maintain public trust, it is essential that professional values are upheld by both doctors and medical students. We aimed to ensure that students appreciated these professional obligations during the 3-year science-based, preclinical course with limited patient contact. Objective We developed a short scenario-based approach to teaching professionalism to first-year students undertaking a medical course with a 3-year science-based, preclinical component. We aimed to evaluate, both quantitatively and qualitatively, student perceptions of the experience and impact of the course. Methods An interactive professionalism course entitled Entry to the Profession was designed for preclinical first-year medical students. Two scenario-based sessions were created and evaluated using established professionalism guidance and expert consensus. Quantitative and qualitative feedback on course implementation and development of professionalism were gathered using Likert-type 5-point scales and debrief following course completion. Results A total of 70 students completed the Entry to the Profession course over a 2-year period. Feedback regarding session materials and logistics ranged from 4.16 (SD 0.93; appropriateness of scenarios) to 4.66 (SD 0.61; environment of sessions). Feedback pertaining to professionalism knowledge and behaviors ranged from 3.11 (SD 0.99; need for professionalism) to 4.78 (SD 0.42; relevance of professionalism). Qualitative feedback revealed that a small group format in a relaxed, open environment facilitated discussion of the major concepts of professionalism. Conclusions Entry to the Profession employed an innovative approach to introducing first-year medical students to complex professionalism concepts. Future longitudinal investigations should aim to explore its impact at various stages of preclinical, clinical, and postgraduate training.