Medical professionalism in ophthalmology: design and testing of a scenario based survey

Abstract

Background Professionalism is hard to quantify but essential in medical practice. We present a survey tool for ophthalmologists that assessed professionalism using case-based scenarios in central Saudi Arabia. Methods Ophthalmologists (resident, fellows and consultants) participated in a web-based survey in 2015. Out of 44 attributes related to professionalism, experts selected 32 attributes with validity indices of ≥0.80. To evaluate these attributes, 51 scenario-based questions were developed and included in the survey. For each attribute, participants were given choices of close ended responses: unacceptable (1), probably unacceptable (2), acceptable (3), probably acceptable (4). The attribute score was compared to the gold standard (responses of an expert group). An attribute score was generated and compared among subgroups. Results Of the 155 ophthalmologists, responses of 147 ophthalmologists who completed more than 50% of questions were reviewed. Their mean attribute score was 84.1 ± 10.1 (Median 87.1; 25% quartile 78.1; minimum 50; and maximum 100). The variation in attribute score among consultants, fellows and resident ophthalmologists was significant (P = 0.008). The variation of attribute score by groups of attributes was also significant (P < 0.05). The score for ‘Personal characteristics’ was on a lower scale compared to that of other attribute groups. The variation in the scores for attribute groups; ‘Personal characteristics attribute’ group (p < 0.01) and ‘Workplace practices & relationship’ group (P = 0.03) for consultants, fellows and residents were significant. Conclusions Professionalism among ophthalmologists and those in training was high and influenced by years of experience. The survey tool appeared to show differences in responses to specific professional attribute groups between trainees and consultants. Additional studies with a larger sample size might be helpful in validating the survey as a tool to be used to assess professionalism in graduate medical education in ophthalmology.

An ophthalmology professionalism survey tool: Outcomes from a multi-center study in Central India

“…The survey was based on a previously validated scenario-based survey tool used by Alkahtani et al . [ 9 ] to evaluate medical professionalism in ophthalmology in Saudi Arabia. The survey language was slightly modified for grammar and spelling, and shortened to 33 questions with only 1 scenario-based question per professionalism attribute.…”

“…In 2020, Alkahtani et al . [ 9 ] published a professionalism survey study in ophthalmology in central Saudi Arabia, based on the 35 professionalism attributes identified by Chandratilake et al . [ 7 ] The authors used 51 scenario-based questions, content validated by a panel of ophthalmology experts, to quantify the competency in professionalism among ophthalmology consultants and trainees by comparing their answers to the answers of the experts (identified as gold-standard).…”

“…The authors found a high level of professionalism among ophthalmology consultants and trainees although the level of professionalism among the two groups differed significantly. [ 9 ] Given that the concept of professionalism in medicine is culture and region-dependent, additional studies are needed to evaluate how medical professionalism is perceived in ophthalmology in different parts of the world.…”

Professionalism among Family Medicine Residents in Al Madinah Region, Saudi Arabia

“…The findings of the study showed that the majority of students have a positive attitude and perception toward professionalism [17]. Another two recent studies published in 2020 found a high level of professionalism among Saudi ophthalmologists [18] and Saudi general surgeons' residents [19] The study assessed the impact of incorporating the CanMEDS Competency Framework in the Saudi curriculum, residents' opinions regarding the CanMEDS competencies and its relationship with Clinical Leadership. The residents showed a satisfactory level of leadership skills and they embraced their acquisition of the CanMEDS competencies during their residency program.…”

Developing of Multidimensional Perspectives Checklist of Professionalism for Undergraduate Occupational Therapy Students in Assistive Technology Service: Delphi Study

“…However, the changing nature of the organizational and social milieu in which medicine operates creates a dynamic situation where no definition has been universally agreed upon as definitive [ 3 , 6 ]. Despite these complexities, education for professionalism in medical school is crucial in the 21st century [ 4 , 7 ].…”