Shame and Professional Identity in Medical School: A Qualitative Analysis of Student Essays

• In Event: Well-Being and Emotional Development in Professions Education

Abstract

We completed a text analysis of 836 professional identity essays (PIEs) written by medical students between 2015-2020 (Kalet 2015) to explore students’ discussion of shame in the context of professional identity formation (PIF). Medical school has a ‘shame culture’ relevant to PIF (Miles 2020). 5.8% (49) of PIEs discussed shame; 4.5% (38) discussed the cognate embarrassment. Qualitative review generated themes: 1) response to failure, 2) personal/professional values, 3) expectations from self/others. Students reflected on (un)realistic expectations educationally and professionally, and negative or positive outcomes of shame. The low number of students discussing shame may relate to the stigma and isolation associated with shame (Scheff 2003). Unpacking shame’s role in medical education can support student resilience, learning, and PIF.

Authors

• Penelope Lusk, University of Pennsylvania

• Tavinder K. Ark, Medical College of Wisconsin

• Adina Kalet, Medical College of Wisconsin

• Verna E. Monson, Monson Consulting