Assessment of medical professionalism: Who, what, when, where, how, and … why?

Abstract

Medical professionalism is increasingly recognized as a core competence of medical trainees and practitioners. Although the general and specific domains of professionalism are thoroughly characterized, procedures for assessing them are not well-developed. This article outlines an approach to designing and implementing an assessment program for medical professionalism that begins and ends with asking and answering a series of critical questions about the purpose and nature of the program. The process of exposing an assessment program to a series of interrogatives that comprise an integrated and iterative framework for thinking about the assessment process should lead to continued improvement in the quality and defensibility of that program.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Richard E. Hawkins

RICHARD E HAWKINS, MD, FACP, is Senior Vice President for Professional and Scientific Affairs at the American Board of Medical Specialties. His primary research interest is in assessment of the competence and performance of practicing doctors.

Peter J. Katsufrakis

PETER J KATSUFRAKIS, MD, MBA is Vice President, Assessment Programs at the National Board of Medical Examiners in Philadelphia. He is a board-certified Family Physician and a past medical school student affairs dean.

Matthew C. Holtman

MATTHEW C HOLTMAN, PHD, is Director, Developmental Programs at the National Board of Medical Examiners in Philadelphia, where he leads the transition of new assessment programs from proof of concept to operational status.

Brian E. Clauser

BRIAN E CLAUSER, EdD, is Associate Vice President for Measurement Consulting Services at the National Board of Medical Examiners. His main research interests are in assessment for credentialing and applied psychometric methods.