An Investigation of Professionalism Reflected by Student Comments on Formative Virtual Patient Encounters

• In Event: 16.033 - Uses of Simulation

Abstract

Purpose: We investigated the association between students’ unprofessional patient summary statements, which they entered during an on-line virtual patient case, and detection of their future unprofessional behavior.
Method: Students complete a number of virtual patient encounters to meet the clerkship requirements. We reviewed the summary statements of 343 students. Each statement was rated with regard to four features: Unprofessional, Professional, Equivocal, and Unanswered. We examined the associations of students’ scores on these categories and Expertise score and Professionalism score reflected by a PGY-1 program director evaluation form.
Results: The measure of receiving an Unprofessional or Equivocal rating was significantly correlated with lower Expertise and Professionalism scores.
Conclusion: Unprofessionalism reflected in student entries may provide additional markers foreshadowing subsequent unprofessional behavior.

Authors

• Ting Dong, The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

• William Kelly

• Meredith Hays

• Norman Berman, Dartmouth College/Geisel Medical School

• Steven J. Durning, The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences