[Becoming doctor: Highlight the hidden curriculum. Medical error as an example].

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Sociology of Health
• Professionalism in Medicine

Context:

• Medical culture is an implicit, pervasive element shaping healthcare professionals.
• It is acquired from the commencement of medical training and influences practitioners throughout their careers.
• The 'hidden curriculum' within medical education significantly impacts professional identity and patient care.

Purpose:

• To underscore the dual individual and collective nature of medical culture.
• To highlight the implicit and binding characteristics of medical culture.
• To emphasize the critical role of recognizing and researching medical culture's influence.

Summary:

• Medical culture encompasses both individual and collective aspects, often operating implicitly as a 'hidden curriculum'.
• This culture is established early in medical training and exerts a profound influence on professional identity and care delivery.
• Identifying the core components of medical culture is presented as a prerequisite for effective research in this domain.

Impact:

• Enhances understanding of how professional identity is formed in healthcare settings.
• Provides a foundation for developing targeted interventions to improve medical training and practice.
• Highlights the necessity of addressing the implicit aspects of medical education for better patient outcomes.