e-Professionalism: a new frontier in medical education

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Digital Health
• Professionalism Studies

Background:

• Social media presents evolving challenges for medical educators.
• A new form of professionalism, termed e-professionalism, has emerged.
• E-professionalism reflects traditional professionalism through digital media.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define e-professionalism within the context of medical education.
• To highlight the importance of e-professionalism in professional identity formation.
• To advocate for the inclusion of e-professionalism in medical curricula.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and expert consensus from the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics Undergraduate Medical Education Committee.
• Analysis of the impact of digital media on professional conduct.
• Discussion of pedagogical approaches to teaching e-professionalism.

Main Results:

• E-professionalism is essential for professional identity formation in medical learners.
• Violations of e-professionalism can lead to severe consequences, including license revocation.
• Traditional professionalism paradigms are now manifested through digital platforms.

Conclusions:

• E-professionalism must be explicitly defined, taught, and evaluated in medical education.
• Medical curricula should incorporate a positive approach to the professional use of social media.
• Failure to address e-professionalism can jeopardize a medical professional's career and licensure.