Perceptions of professionalism vary most with educational rank and age.

Full Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess whether the perception of what constitutes professionalism varies with age, discipline, gender, or educational level among students and faculty at the major academic health sciences center in West Virginia. This exploratory descriptive survey study asked participants to classify behaviors described in a survey as professional, unprofessional, or unrelated to professionalism. Results were analyzed using contingency tables. For 2 x 2 contingency tables, test of independence of homogeneity was carried out by using Fisher's exact test. For tables of higher dimensions, chi square test was used. The survey yielded a 45 percent return rate and demonstrated that the perception of professionalism varied most with the level of education and age and, to a lesser extent, with gender and health care discipline. Undergraduates, females, the youngest age group (< or = 26), nursing students, and faculty other than dental or medical were more likely to label behavior depicted in the survey statements as unprofessional. The findings of this study underscore the complexities of the genesis of professionalism. Further study in regard to the teaching of professionalism is warranted.

Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Nath, Charlotte (C); Schmidt, Rebecca (R); Gunel, Erdogan (E);

Affiliation: West Virginia University School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, P.O. Box 9152, Morgantown, WV 26506-9152, USA. nathc(-atsign-)rcbhsc.wvu.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Journal of dental education (J Dent Educ), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Aug; vol 70 (issue 8) : pp 825-34

Dates: Created 2006/08/09; Completed 2006/09/13;

PMID: 16896085, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Nurses - psychology
Professional Role - psychology
Sex Factors
Specialties, Dental
Specialties, Medical
Students, Health Occupations - psychology

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

See 100+ related articles.