Professionalism Score and Academic Performance: With Objective Measures of Professionalism, Do We Measure What We Want to Measure?
-
Pieter C. Barnhoorn
To the Editor:
In the November 2014 issue of The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, Snider and Johnson1 described the correlations between an objective professionalism score and academic performance in first- and second-year osteopathic medical students. These correlations are of grave importance, as lack of professionalism may be a predictor for future unprofessional performance.2 These correlations give us as educators the means to identify “problem learners” as soon as possible in their careers and facilitate corrective actions in due time.
However, we need to be humble, gentle, and patient with our students. The threat of pigeonholing exists, especially when it concerns objective professionalism scores. We have to ask ourselves whether we measure what we want to measure. Do we measure professionalism in objective professionalism scores? And do we measure it objectively?
Words are important. First, the items in the professionalism score described by Snider and Johnson1 all cover behavior. When students do not arrive on time or do not dress in appropriate attire, they demonstrate unprofessional behavior. However, this behavior does not necessarily mean unprofessional inner virtues and attitudes. Professionalism and professional behavior may be 2 sides of the same coin, but they are not synonymous. I believe the extent to which these 2 concepts relate to one another requires further research.
Second, can we measure professional behavior or even professionalism objectively? I have reservations with the term objective. Professionalism is not something absolute, and behavior is always open to a number of different interpretations. In one context, behavior may be seen as professional, and in a different context, the same behavior may be assessed as unprofessional.
I thank Snider and Johnson1 for showing the correlation between unprofessional behavior and academic performance. However, I caution us to be humble in what we think we measure in our students.
References
1 Snider KT Johnson JC . Professionalism score and academic performance in osteopathic medical students. J Am Osteopath Assoc.2014;114(11):850-859. doi:10.7556/jaoa.2014.171.10.7556/jaoa.2014.171Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
2 Papadakis MA Hodgson CS Teherani A Kohatsu ND . Unprofessional behavior in medical school is associated with subsequent disciplinary action by a state medical board. Acad Med.2004;79(3):244-249.10.1097/00001888-200403000-00011Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
© 2015 The American Osteopathic Association
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Letters to the Editor
- Evidence-Based Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine: No Paradox
- Professionalism Score and Academic Performance: With Objective Measures of Professionalism, Do We Measure What We Want to Measure?
- AOA Communication
- JAOA Peer Reviewers, 2014
- Original Contribution
- Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment Use in the Emergency Department: A Retrospective Medical Record Review
- Effectiveness of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Pilot Project
- Review
- Adult-Acquired Hidden Penis in Obese Patients: A Critical Survey of the Literature
- Medical Education
- Osteopathic Medical Students' Understanding of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: A First Step Toward a Policy-Informed Curriculum
- Case Report
- Postoperative Singultus: An Osteopathic Approach
- The Somatic Connection
- Pelvic Manipulation Benefits Women With Primary Dysmenorrhea
- Dramatic Reduction in Menstrual Pain After Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy
- OMT—and Placebo—Shown Effective in Reducing Pain During Pregnancy
- Recognizing the Value of Manual Therapy Interventions in Women's Health: An Interim Report
- Clinical Images
- Disseminated Herpes Zoster
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Letters to the Editor
- Evidence-Based Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine: No Paradox
- Professionalism Score and Academic Performance: With Objective Measures of Professionalism, Do We Measure What We Want to Measure?
- AOA Communication
- JAOA Peer Reviewers, 2014
- Original Contribution
- Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment Use in the Emergency Department: A Retrospective Medical Record Review
- Effectiveness of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Pilot Project
- Review
- Adult-Acquired Hidden Penis in Obese Patients: A Critical Survey of the Literature
- Medical Education
- Osteopathic Medical Students' Understanding of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: A First Step Toward a Policy-Informed Curriculum
- Case Report
- Postoperative Singultus: An Osteopathic Approach
- The Somatic Connection
- Pelvic Manipulation Benefits Women With Primary Dysmenorrhea
- Dramatic Reduction in Menstrual Pain After Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy
- OMT—and Placebo—Shown Effective in Reducing Pain During Pregnancy
- Recognizing the Value of Manual Therapy Interventions in Women's Health: An Interim Report
- Clinical Images
- Disseminated Herpes Zoster
