Are we proper role models for students? Interns' perception of faculty and residents' professional behaviour

This study was conducted to assess interns' level of exposure to different aspects of professional attitude and behaviour among faculty and residents.

In this descriptive study, 218 interns in surgery and internal medicine wards at four teaching hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences were enrolled during the first semester of the 2007/2008 academic year. Each intern completed one questionnaire for faculty and one for residents in their ward.

The questionnaire was completed by 150 students (68.8%) for faculty and by 139 students (63.7%) for residents. In terms of overall aspects of professionalism, the mean (±SD) score on observing professionalism was 52.9±10 and 49.26±7.9 points out of 70 for faculty and residents, respectively. Students agreed that responsibility was observed better than other aspects of professionalism (119/150 (79.3%) and 115/139 (82.8%) students stated it was often or always observed by faculty and residents, respectively). In both groups, commitment to honour and integrity and excellence was less compared with other areas.

Medical faculty and residents should be more aware of their behaviour and attitudes in practice, especially their interaction with colleagues so that students' professional behaviour can be improved.