A Delphi study on professionalism of emergency medicine for residents and medical students

¹Department of Emergency Medicine, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Wonju, Korea
²Department of Medical Education, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea
³Department of Medical Education, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, Korea
⁴Department of Medical Education and Medical Humanities, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
⁵Department of Emergency Medicine, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence

Kyung Hye Park ,Tel: 033-741-0242, Fax: 033-742-5034, Email: erdoc74@gmail.com,

Received: April 11, 2018; Revised: July 9, 2018 Accepted: July 10, 2018. Published online: August 31, 2018.

ABSTRACT

Objective:
The aim of this study was to develop professionalism competency for residents and medical students in the field of emergency medicine.
Method:
Twenty emergency medicine specialists working at a university hospital were recruited for the modified Delphi method. Seventy-three items were generated and classified into five domains: 13 items in patient care, 19 in communication and cooperation, nine in social accountability, 24 in professionalism, and eight in education and research. Two-step surveys were conducted.
Results:
Items with a low content validity ratio (<0.42) were deleted, or combined when the meanings of the items were similar or duplicated through two-step surveys. Finally, 59 items for residents were used: 12 items in patient care, 11 in communication and cooperation, six in social accountability, 23 in professionalism, and seven in education and research. In addition, 23 items for medical students were settled: six items in patient care, five in communication and cooperation, none in social accountability, 11 in professionalism, and one in education and research.
Conclusion:
The items related to social accountability and communication and cooperation with society were considered less important by the panels. In addition, there was a tendency to clearly distinguish between resident and student levels in professionalism competency. Based on the results of this study, it is important to form a basis for developing educational programs of professionalism of emergency medicine for senior medical students and residents.

Key words: Professionalism; Medical students; Emergency medicine; Clinical competence; Delphi technique