Development of a Framework for Assessing Professionalism in Medical Students

Background: professionalism assessment is one of the most difficult issues in medical education. In related references, it is recommended that professionalism assessment should be according to the status and attention to culture of each society. The purpose of the study was to design an appropriate framework in order to assess professionalism among medical students of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.  Methods: the professionalism assessment framework was developed in accordance with experts’ perspective. Q methodology, that is a mixed research method to study people’s viewpoint and subjectivity about the components of professionalism, was used to determine the relevant factors. The data were collected through focus group discussion and interview and analyzed quantitatively using exploratory factor analysis. In order to determine the most appropriate method, time, place and person to carry out the assessment, qualitative methods and interviews were used. Results: the factors influencing professionalism assessment included individual capacity and attention to culture - knowledge, medical skills and responsibility - managerial skills and preserving human dignity - organizational commitment and excellence - respecting other people’s rights and duty – respecting laws, communication skills and altruism. Direct observation, professors, hospital wards, duration of clinical courses were considered as the most appropriate method, assessor, place and time to assess professionalism among medical students. Conclusion: a framework was designed in the study that included assessing factors, the best assessor and the most appropriate method, time and place in order to assess professionalism among medical students. On the condition that the shortcomings of the framework are corrected by further researches and localization, it could be used in other medical schools.