Abstract

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.

Key words: Professionalism, healthcare, education.