Nurturing humanism and professionalism in a clinical setting: A multicenter study to develop a framework for a...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Professionalism Studies
• Sociology of Health

Background:

• Humanism and professionalism are core to the physician-society contract.
• Clinical settings present unique challenges to developing these traits in students.
• Cultural context significantly influences the effectiveness of educational strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conceptualize strategies for teaching humanism and professionalism.
• To address challenges in high-power distance and collectivistic cultural settings.
• To develop a culturally relevant approach to medical education.

Main Methods:

• Multicenter qualitative phenomenological study.
• Maximum variation sampling of clinical students, teachers, and coordinators.
• Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews analyzed thematically.

Main Results:

• Professional identity formation (PIF) is central to learning humanism and professionalism.
• Character building is a key principle, requiring longitudinal curriculum design.
• Integrated learning, patient exposure, and reflection are essential strategies, with attention to cultural factors and explicit assessment.

Conclusions:

• Humanism and professionalism development is a longitudinal, character-building process centered on PIF.
• Longitudinal, explicit, and dynamic teaching-learning and assessment strategies are recommended.
• Faculty development must consider cultural contexts in nurturing these essential physician traits.