Perceptions of professionalism vary most with educational rank and age

The purpose of this study was to assess whether the perception of what constitutes professionalism varies with age, discipline, gender, or educational level among students and faculty at the major academic health sciences center in West Virginia. This exploratory descriptive survey study asked participants to classify behaviors described in a survey as professional, unprofessional, or unrelated to professionalism. Results were analyzed using contingency tables. For 2 x 2 contingency tables, test of independence of homogeneity was carried out by using Fisher's exact test. For tables of higher dimensions, chi square test was used. The survey yielded a 45 percent return rate and demonstrated that the perception of professionalism varied most with the level of education and age and, to a lesser extent, with gender and health care discipline. Undergraduates, females, the youngest age group (< or = 26), nursing students, and faculty other than dental or medical were more likely to label behavior depicted in the survey statements as unprofessional. The findings of this study underscore the complexities of the genesis of professionalism. Further study in regard to the teaching of professionalism is warranted.