Patient perspectives: Four pillars of professionalism (original) (raw)

Professionalism: Good for Patients and Health Care Organizations

Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2014

Professionalism is an indispensable element in the compact between the medical profession and society that is based on trust and putting the needs of patients above all other considerations. The resurgence of interest in professionalism dates back to the 1980s when health maintenance organizations were formed and proprietary influences in health care increased. Since then, a rich and comprehensive literature has emerged in defining professionalism, including desirable individual attributes and behaviors and how they may be taught, promoted, and assessed. More recently, scholarship has shifted from individual to organizational professionalism. This literature addresses the role that health care organizations can play to establish environments that are conducive to the consistent expression of professionalism by individuals and health care teams. We reviewed interdisciplinary empirical studies from health care effectiveness and outcomes, organizational sciences, positive psychology, and social psychology, finding evidence that organizational and individual professionalism is associated with a wide range of benefits to patients and the organization. We identify actionable organizational strategies and approaches that, if adopted, can foster and promote combined organizational and individual professionalism. In doing so, trust in the medical profession and its institutions can be enhanced, which in turn will reconfirm a commitment to the social compact.

Perceptions of professionalism in medicine: a qualitative study

Medical Education, 2006

PURPOSE Current guidelines for medical undergraduate education require students to develop appropriate attitudes towards professionalism. As much of the literature defines professionalism in vague terms) altruism, humanism, excellence) few studies have operationalised medical professionalism. This study aims to describe the views and experiences individuals have about medical professionalism to provide a more comprehensive understanding of medical professionalism. METHODS An interview study of medical educators, medical students, doctors, allied health professionals and lay professionals was employed to assess views and experiences of professionalism in medicine. Thematic content analysis was applied to the resulting transcripts; the data were managed by NUD*IST software. RESULTS Twenty-three people participated. Two types of examples about professionalism were provided: conceptual (honest, trustworthy, competent); behavioural (communicating effectively, treating patients equally, working in teams). Seven themes were elicited from the data: compliance to values, patient access, doctor-patient relationship, demeanour, professional management, personal awareness and motivation. CONCLUSION The study provided a description of views about medical professionalism. These data allowed for a more thorough conceptualisation which should be used to inform measures of medical professionalism in order to improve the validity of assessments of medical students' attitudes.

Assessment of medical professionalism: preliminary results of a qualitative study

BMC Medical Education

Background The importance of medical professionalism has been well documented in the literature. Cultural background affects the constituents of professionalism. However, few studies have explored the domains of medical professionalism in an Asian context. We aim to describe the views and experiences of both patients and faculty on medical professionalism in an urban Asian city state. Methods Data for this qualitative study were collected through focus group discussions (FGDs) with patients and in-depth interviews (IDIs) with faculty members. The IDIs and FGDs were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was conducted by two independent coders using a priori framework derived from Professionalism Mini Evaluation Exercise (P-MEX). Sociodemographic data of faculty members and patients were obtained through brief questionnaires. Results A total of 31 patients (58.1% male, all had visited healthcare facilities within the past year) and 26 faculty members (42.3% male, ...

Understanding the stakeholders’ perspectives on professionalism in healthcare: a cross-cultural analysis

Background: The growing ability of healthcare systems to diagnose and treat diseases, together with changes in financing and healthcare delivery standards, have pointed out many ethical and professional issues for physicians. The training of devoted professionals with specialized skills is needed for the development of modern medicine and technology. The objective of the study: To identify the perception of stakeholders (doctors, nurses, students, administrators, and policymakers) in Punjab, Pakistan, and compare their perceptions available in the international literature regarding professionalism in the healthcare sector Methodology: The study design was qualitative. 530 individuals took part in thirty-eight focus group discussions, with 8-15 participants in each group, in various settings across the province of Punjab. Thematic analysis was undertaken of the transcribed data. The findings were compared with the evidence made available from a scoping review of the literature. The f...

Definition of professionalism by different groups of health care students

Educational Research and Reviews

Professionalism is important in all service-providing professions. Professional bodies have extensive rules and regulations creating the foundations of the definition of professionalism, its meaning and these rules have to be followed. In view of this, healthcare students are given intensive training. A prospective study conducted in a District General Hospital, to establish if professionalism was clearly defined. A questionnaire with open questions was given to 75 students from different disciplines including medical, nursing and chiropractic students (25 individuals from each group). The participants were at the end of their studies. The General Medical Council (GMC) criteria for professionalism were used. They were discussed as part of their induction to the orthopaedic department and the questionnaire was given to them at the end of their placement. Their answers were grouped, categorised and the findings were then analysed. All groups demonstrated a good understanding of the definition and factors that influence professionalism. Student nurses performed overall better than the other two groups. Medical and chiropractic students scored lower on communication, working with colleagues and audit/research. All three groups scored low in the categories of problem dealing and health. Reflection and mentoring were two of the subjects that they considered as important to help them improve their cognition to become a professional subject. The inclusion of the professionalism as subject to education seems that helps the understanding of the term but contact with the clinical environment and proper mentoring by senior clinicians enhances to the understanding in some of the criteria. GMC criteria can be used for the assessment of cognition of professionalism but with the addition of reflection in the list.

The effect of professionalism on the professional communication between nurses and physicians: A phenomenological study

Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Sciences, 2016

Background and Purpose: Professionalism refers to the professional character and manners of an individual, which encompasses different attributes and a lifestyle reflecting responsibility and commitment. Effective communication between physicians and nurses enhances the quality of patient care, reduces medical errors. Over the years, there have been repeated admonitions to improve nursephysician communication, which is influenced by several factors. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of professionalism on the professional communication between nurses and physicians. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using the phenomenological approach developed by Husserl. Semi-structured interviews (n=15) were performed on eight nurses and seven physicians engaged in the hospitals of different cities in Iran in 2014. Participants were asked to describe their experiences regarding the professional communication between nurses and physicians. All interviews were recorded and transcribed, and data analysis was performed using Colaizzi's method. Results: Four main themes emerged from data analysis, including professionalism, communication patterns, confounders, and communication usefulness, the most important of which was professionalism. In this study, we focused on professionalism and its subthemes, including autonomy, dignity and respect, responsibility and preparedness. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, professionalism plays a key role in establishing efficient professional communications. Therefore, it is recommended that structured communication interventions be implemented in clinical environments in order to improve the quality of nurse-physician communication.

Physicians’ professionalism from the patients’ perspective: a qualitative study at a single-family practice in Saudi Arabia

BMC Medical Ethics

Introduction Professionalism is a crucial component of medical practice. It is a culturally sensitive notion that generally consists of behaviors, values, communication, and relationships. This study is a qualitative study exploring physician professionalism from the patients’ perspective. Methods Focus group discussions with patients attending a family medicine center attached to a tertiary care hospital were carried out using the four gates model of Arabian medical professionalism that is appropriate to Arab culture. Discussions with patients were recorded and transcribed. Data were thematically analyzed using NVivo software. Results Three main themes emerged from the data. (1) In dealing with patients, participants expected respect but understood delays in seeing physicians due to their busy schedules. In communication, participants expected to be informed about their health conditions and to have their questions answered. (2) In dealing with tasks, participants expected proper e...

The Charter on Professionalism for Health Care Organizations

Academic Medicine, 2017

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Perspective: The Problem With the Problem of Professionalism

Academic Medicine, 2010

Enhancing professionalism is an important goal of all physicians, both as individuals and as members of educational and institutional communities of practice. Despite a great deal of dialogue and discourse, the medical profession struggles to ensure that all physicians are able to embrace and live the values of professionalism, notwithstanding the myriad stressors