Student Perceptions of the Professional Behavior of Faculty Physicians

Abstract

This study was conducted to obtain a baseline understanding of the professional behav-ior of clinical faculty physicians from the medical students’ perspective. Students completed a professionalism evaluation of supervising faculty at the end of each required third-year clerkship over a one year period. Results were analyzed by specific behaviors and across clerkships. Dif-ferences were noted in the frequency of the types of problems seen, and varied by clerkship disci-pline. The most common transgressions of professional behavior reported were the use of deroga-tory language towards other services or patients and the disrespectful treatment of others. Our study served to provide objective feedback to the faculty about student perceptions of faculty as role models for professionalism while on clinical rotations. Key Words: Professionalism, undergraduate medical education, role models