Perceptions on Medical Professionalism Among Future Healthcare Professionals: A Mixed Method Study

Background Accreditation councils across the world constantly examine policies and practices in professionalism in their medical curriculum. The National Medical Commission (NMC) in India has recognized the pressing need to reform and include professionalism in its undergraduate curriculum. Objectives The objective of this study was to explore the perspectives of medical and nursing students on professional behavior, suitable teaching-learning methods, and assessment strategies for curriculum integration. Methodology The study utilized a concurrent triangulation mixed method design, collecting both qualitative and quantitative data simultaneously to gain a comprehensive understanding of medical and nursing students' perceptions of professionalism. It included 83 final-year undergraduate medical students and 42 final-year undergraduate nursing students. The approval of the Institutional Review Board of Meenakshi Medical College Hospital & Research Institute was obtained. A semi-structured questionnaire consisting of demographic characteristics and opinions regarding academic professional behavior, teaching-learning, and evaluation of professionalism was used. Perceptions regarding the meaning of professionalism, behavior of professionalism to be emphasized in teaching, and pressing challenges of professionalism were explored. Students were also asked to rank the best behavior associated with professionalism. Frequency and percentages were used for descriptive statistics. Means and standard deviations were calculated for continuous variables. An unpaired t-test was used to determine a statistically significant difference between the means in the two groups. The quantitative data was analyzed with R programming and content analysis was performed for the qualitative data using ATLAS.ti qualitative data analysis software. Results Unexplained/unauthorized absence from academic activities (2.39 ± 1.553), not following the timeline (2.41 ± 1.560), making fun of patients and peers (2.16 ± 1.619), cheating in the exams (2.37 ± 1.651), and inebriation (2.39 ± 1.666) were unacceptable behaviors by undergraduate medical students compared with nursing students. Clinical experience (1.54 ± 0.857) and role models (1.74 ± 0.935) were the highly acceptable methods of teaching professionalism and interprofessional interactions (1.58 ± 0.650) and awards (1.98 ± 1.100) were the most common suggestions to improve the course curriculum by both groups. Community/field activity (1.78 ± 0.860) and clinical examination (1.89 ±1.123) were the most preferred methods of evaluation of professionalism. According to the students, dedication, honesty, respect, and self-improvement were identified as the best behaviors associated with professionalism. Conclusions The study revealed that students had a wide range of perspectives about professionalism. Different unprofessional acts were acceptable to students. The causes of these perspectives need to be explored and resolved to promote professionalism. Students identified the need for strong positive role models and frequent clinical experiences, along with improved interprofessional interactions and awards to improve teaching and learning professionalism. Community/field activity was the preferred assessment method proposed by the students. Medical institutions must promote these components in curriculum, faculty development, and clinical settings to foster the development of professionalism among students.