Objectives:Role models, that is, persons whose behavior, example, or success are or can be emulated by others, are increasingly important in medical education. A class asking medical students about their role models was conducted, and career education related to role models in medical schools is discussed. Methods:I had the class for second grade students of Yamaguchi University School of Medicine in 2013. The class consisted of introduction of the concept of role models, homework considering the students’role models, and group discussion. The students’role models were analyzed. Results:A total of 138 persons were given as role models, including mainly specialists, researchers, general physicians, family doctors and academics. Most of them were well known, such as through the media. The role models included 16 women and 11 faculty members(9 basic scientists and 2 clinicians)of Yamaguchi University. Conclusions:The students considered various persons as their role models. However, there were only a few immediate clinicians and female doctors. In medical education, students need more opportunities for contact with possible role models, especially women and clinicians at the university.
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