Document Type
Article
Original Publication Date
2016
Journal/Book/Conference Title
Medical Education Online
Volume
21
DOI of Original Publication
10.3402/meo.v21.32610
Date of Submission
April 2017
Abstract
Background: Objective-structured teaching encounters (OSTEs) are used across many disciplines to assess teaching ability. The OSTE detailed in this paper assesses 191 fourth-year medical students’ (M4) ability to identify and address lapses in professionalism based on Association of American Medical Colleges’ professionalism competencies. The research questions addressed are:
- How frequently do M4s address professionalism lapses observed during an OSTE?
- What factors influence whether M4s provide feedback when they observe professionalism lapses in an OSTE?
Methods: Standardized patients (SPs) and standardized learners (SLs) were recruited and trained to participate in a standardized encounter with specific cognitive, social, and behavioral errors, including professionalism lapses. M4s viewed this encounter and then offered feedback to the SL, while remotely observed by faculty. Post-encounter, the SL and faculty completed identical checklists to assess both teaching readiness and ability to address professionalism concerns.
Results: An analysis of frequencies showed that six of the Association of American Medical Colleges’ nine professional competencies were addressed in the checklist and/or discussed in the focus group. Analysis of transcribed debriefing sessions confirmed that M4s did not consistently address professionalism lapses by their peers.
Conclusions: In focus groups, M4s indicated that, while they noticed professionalism issues, they were uncomfortable discussing them with the SLs. Findings of the current study suggest how medical educators might support learners’ ability to address lapses in professionalism as well as topics for future research.
Recommended Citation
Medical Education Online 2016. # 2016 Constance R. Tucker et al. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), allowing third parties to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format and to remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially, provided the original work is properly cited and states its license.
Is Part Of
Publications from the Office of the Dean of the VCU School of Medicine
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Comments
Originally published at http://doi.org/10.3402/meo.v21.32610
Funded in part by the VCU Libraries Open Access Publishing Fund.