Measuring and Promoting Professional Identity Formation Early in Professionalism Education

• In Event: 41.032 - Implications of Learning Theory for Instruction

Abstract

This study implemented theory-based professionalism curriculum event for medical students to assess the feasibility, acceptability, validity and utility of measuring baseline Professional Identity Formation (PIF) in medical students. During medical school orientation, all 132 entering students completed 1) the Professional Identity Essay a measure of PIF and 2) the Defining Issues Test (DIT2) a validated measure of moral reasoning. Students received score reports with individualized narrative feedback and wrote a structured reflection during a large-group session. PIF scores were distributed across Stages. The mean DIT2 score was 53 (range 9.7-76.51); the correlation between PIF stage and DIT score was ρ=.18 (p=.03). Participants aware that they are novices and anticipate growth of their PIF tended to respond more positively to the feedback.

Authors

• Hyuksoon S. Song, Georgian Court University

• Lynn Buckvar-Keltz, New York University

• Victoria Harnik, New York University

• Verna Monson

• Steven M. Hubbard, New York University

• Ruth Crowe, New York University

• Sandra Yingling

• Adina L. Kalet, New York University