Teaching, Learning and Assessing Professionalism

Objectives: This article describes the general surgery course for undergraduates that I am currently involved that includes professionalism as one of its explicit outcomes. Methods: (1) Critique the way the teaching, learning and assessment of professionalism is currently addressed in the course. (2) Point out points of strength and those need improvement. (3) Reflection how to improve the teaching, learning and assessment of professionalism. Discussions and Conclusions: the blueprint of the exam should declare the four categories of assessment methods of professionalism: ethics, personal characteristics; comprehensive professionalism and diversity. Recently, the notion of measuring the immeasurable has been overtaken by an evolving consensus that is measuring the so called soft aspects of medical practice is as important as assessing other aspects such as history taking or physical examination.