Teaching medical professionalism: What to teach and how to teach

Abstract

Professionalism education requires two learning goals: the minimum goal of not doing unprofessional acts and the aspirational goal of always aiming for heights. A shift in perspective from normative professionalism education to narrative-based professionalism education is important for aspirational goals, including role models, self-awareness (reflection), narrative competence, and community services. Through these, learners are required to realize the expectations of patients, residents, and society through actual clinical experience, which leads to the professional identity formation. It also leads to learning social accountability to meet the needs of society. Then, considering professionalism at the individual, interpersonal, and social levels, the medical professional educators need to think to train true professionals who are reflective practitioners who can solve problems while struggling in a complicated and chaotic medical situation.