Role modeling in physicians' professional formation: reconsidering an essential but untapped educational strategy

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Professionalism Studies
• Physician Development

Background:

• Medical education faces challenges in cultivating technically proficient, professional, and humanistic physicians.
• Role modeling is central to learning how to be a caregiver and health professional, yet standards are elusive.
• Negative role modeling experiences can adversely impact the professionalism of medical students and residents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify foundational questions regarding role models and professional character formation in physicians.
• To describe social and historical reasons for the inattention to character formation in new physicians.
• To draw insights from ethics and education theory to inform role modeling practices.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on descriptive studies of good role model attributes.
• Analysis of cognitive and behavioral processes in role internalization.
• Integration of insights from philosophical inquiry, apprenticeship, situated learning, observational learning, and reflective practice.

Main Results:

• The literature primarily describes attributes of good role models from learner and practitioner perspectives.
• Physicians embody roles rather than merely playing them, highlighting the importance of internalized professional character.
• Foundational questions and theoretical insights regarding role modeling and character development are identified.

Conclusions:

• Effective role modeling is crucial for the professional character formation of physicians.
• Understanding the cognitive and behavioral aspects of role internalization is key.
• Practical implications exist for faculty recruitment, affirmation, and development to enhance role modeling.