Physician professionalism: definition from a generation perspective

Abstract

Objectives The primary objective of this study was to determine whether consensuses on the definition of emergency physician professionalism exist within and among four different generations. Our secondary objective was to describe the most important characteristic related to emergency physician professionalism that each generation values. Methods We performed a cross-sectional survey study, using a card-sorting technique, at the emergency departments of two university-based medical centers in the United States. The study was conducted with 288 participants from February to November 2017. Participants included adult emergency department patients, emergency medicine supervising physicians, emergency medicine residents, emergency department nurses, and fourth- and second-year medical students who independently ranked 39 cards that represent qualities related to emergency physician professionalism. We used descriptive statistics, quantitative cultural consensuses and Spearman’s correlation coefficients to analyze the data. Results We found cultural consensuses on emergency physician professionalism in Millennials and Generation X overall, with respect for patients named the most important quality (eigenratio 5.94, negative competency 0%; eigenratio 3.87, negative competency 1.64%, respectively). There were consensuses on emergency physician professionalism in healthcare providers throughout all generations, but no consensuses were found across generations in the patient groups. Conclusions While younger generations and healthcare providers had consensuses on emergency physician professionalism, we found that patients had no consensuses on this matter. Medical professionalism curricula should be designed with an understanding of each generation’s values concerning professionalism. Future studies using qualitative methods across specialties, to assess definitions of medical professionalism in each generation, should be pursued.

Audience and Presenter Comparison of Live Web‐Based Lectures and Traditional Classroom Lectures During the COVID‐19 Pandemic

“…Responses to each question were evaluated by SurveyMonkey. Results were analyzed as an aggregate, and as generational groups defined as traditionalists (≥75 years old), baby boomers (56‐74 years old), generation X (40‐55 years old), millennials (24‐39 years old), and generation Z (≤23 years old) 29 . In addition, residents were grouped into two levels, junior (first‐year residents) and senior (second and third‐year residents), to assess the impact of residency year on attitudes.…”

The future of physician advocacy: a survey of U.S. medical students

“…Our findings regarding specific issues were consistent with results from physician surveys, [ 8 , 9 ] with the exception of healthcare coverage for the uninsured, which was rated as very important by 81% of students in our study compared with 58% of practicing physicians in a 2006 study [ 8 ]. The overall similarity in attitudes is notable, given differences in generational attitudes, and may reflect a commonality of concerns among individuals with an interest in healthcare [ 50 ]. The greater emphasis on problems related to the uninsured in our study may related to increased public awareness of the issue [ 51 ].…”

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“…in evaluation of professionalism ( 24 ). Hoonpongsimanont et al, argued that the influence of generations and their values should be considered in assessment of professionalism ( 38 ). However, in modern medical curricula professionalism is integrated in clinical practices ( 25 ).…”