Assessment in Medical Education: Focus on Professionalism

Abstract

Abstract This resource is a lecture on the assessment of professionalism in medical education. It draws on the current literature of both assessment in medical education and assessment of professionalism and synthesizes major themes, strengths, and limitations. The lecture was created to facilitate reflection and discussion for medical educators, program directors, and educational researchers and designed for a 60- to 90-minute period. It is suggested that facilitators stop periodically and ask questions to provide for reflection or application. Based on a review of the literature, the lecture supports multiple interpretations based on a wide range of methods, although validity is often questionable. The lecture concludes by considering strengths of the literature and by advancing directions for further research. Currently, many interpretations of professionalism make measurement problematic. It is important to carefully consider current themes in the literature in supporting professional behavior and development among students.

Keywords

• Education
• Literature
• Validity Issues