Values related to professionalism in dental education at the University of Chile: Student and faculty perceptions

Abstract

Objective It is recognised that professionalism should play a central role in dental education. However, its implementation into the curricula of dental schools is still limited. Our objective was to identify the main values related to professionalism based on the perceptions of students and faculty members from the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Chile. Methods A Dental Values Survey was validated and culturally adapted in order to guarantee the greatest possible internal validity. The adapted survey was administered to students and faculty members (416 and 225, respectively). The final survey contained 64 items rated on a Likert scale of 1‐5. Each item was categorised according to five dimensions: Altruism, Consciousness, Personal Satisfaction, Quality of Life and Professional Status. The values were compared between faculty and students and among students at different courses. A values scale was constructed by selecting the five items with the highest average score for each dimension. Results Survey respondents composed 34.32% of the universe, of which 50.46% were faculty and 49.54% were students. Values associated with Altruism, Consciousness and Professional Status, were the highest rated by students and faculty. Values associated with Personal Satisfaction and Quality of Life received the lowest scores for both groups. Conclusions To provide the best possible attention to patients (Consciousness), and that patients have access to affordable dental care (Altruism), are the values at the top of our scale. On the other hand, to maintain financial stability and to be well paid (Quality of Life) were the less considered.

Designing a Tool to Assess Professionalism Among Dental Students

“…For example, a study in UAE reported that dentists might be unable to apply their knowledge of professionalism in real-life scenarios and suggested integrated models of teaching professionalism to dental students [ 26 ]. In a study in Chile, dental students and faculty rated Consciousness and Altruism as the most valued traits of professionalism [ 27 ]. An Indian study assessed professionalism among dental students through a self-assessment questionnaire survey and concluded that the students possessed at least some of the professionalism elements [ 28 ].…”

Factors influencing professionalism during dental training at the University of Chile: perception of students and patients

“…Subsequently, the participants read and signed the informed consent form for the session to be recorded and transcribed. The dynamics and purposes of the session were explained, which were: (a) To analyse and interpret the meaning of the most important values associated with professionalism in the Faculty according to the results of a previous study [ 2 ], (b) to identify the factors or circumstances that enhance and improve professionalism and those that weaken and hinder it, and (c) to analyse the improvements needed in the curriculum and the educational climate to favour the development of professionalism. The notes taken by the researchers during the focus groups and the transcribed audios were analysed and a series of major themes arose, which we called “categories”.…”

“…Its task is not limited to teaching skills to practice a given profession, in this case Dentistry, but is also to provide a comprehensive training. This implies training students in values and attitudes related to professionalism, such as responsibility, teamwork and ethical commitment [ 1 , 2 ].…”

“…At present, the idea of a good professional is not only linked to that of an “expert” competent in a certain area of knowledge, but also to a committed person, morally responsible in the function or activity they carry out. In this respect, the duty of university training is to consider the growth of the individual and the student, with the aim of training professionals of integrity committed to the welfare of society [ 2 ].…”