Assessing Geriatric Medicine Residents' views on Medical Professionalism

Medical professionalism is one of the key competencies of physicians and the basis of a trust-based relationship between physician and patient. It has become more important with recent advances and challenges in medicine. The present study investigated the attitudes of geriatric medicine residents toward medical professionalism and determined areas of difference.

In this qualitative study, the six principles of medical professionalism were presented in the form of a clinical scenario and the residents were asked to read them and discuss one or two question(s). Data were evaluated by content analysis method.

There was no significant difference between the variables of age, sex and stages of the residents and their general attitude toward the principles of medical professionalism. In general, the level of familiarity and attention of participants to the concepts of justice and excellence were lower than other principles.

Despite the positive attitude of the residents to the general concepts of medical professionalism, there is still a serious vacuum in the field of education, assessment and adherence. Medical educators should be more concerned with training in this field. Future studies are needed to help identify the teaching mission.