Professionalism and Self-Evaluation: Diverging Perspectives Among Physicians and Nurses

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Healthcare Professionalism

Background:

• Professionalism in healthcare is crucial, encompassing altruism, humanism, and excellence.
• Integrating professionalism ideals into practice presents challenges for medical educators.
• Understanding peer perceptions of professionalism is vital for interprofessional development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess peer evaluations of professionalism among physicians and nurses.
• To determine the significance of professional role components within each sector.
• To conduct cross-sector assessments of physician and nurse professionalism.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to physicians, interns, and nurses.
• Participants rated 12 characteristics on a 1-10 scale for their own and the other profession's professionalism.
• Direct and cross-scoring methods were employed to capture differing perspectives.

Main Results:

• Physicians' professionalism was characterized by "strategic judgment" (knowledge, responsibility, decision-making, leadership).
• Nurses' professionalism was defined by "bedside approach" and "performance abilities" (responsibility, personal attention, empathy, skills).
• Nurses and interns rated professionalism higher than physicians, with significant differences in emphasis on patient-centeredness, communication, and teamwork.

Conclusions:

• Physicians and nurses exhibit distinct perceptions of professionalism, emphasizing "strategic judgment" and "bedside approach," respectively.
• Peer assessment can reveal these differing viewpoints, aiding in understanding interprofessional strengths and weaknesses.
• Recognizing these divergent perspectives is key for enhancing medical education and interprofessional collaboration.