Attitudes toward Medical Professionalism and Professional Medical Practices in Medical Students of Qazvin

Background and Objective: Previous literature supports consideration of professional education at undergraduate level. This research was an attempt to assess the attitudes of medical students toward medical professionalism and professional practices in Qazvin University of Medical Sciences during 2014-2015. Materials and Methods: All medical students, in the clerkship and internship levels, enrolled in a descriptive study. Data were gathered by means of a questionnaire taking into account cultural considerations of the country. Results: Most trainees pointed out that professionalism should be taught and learned. While half of the trainees believed that medical ethics course should be formally taught in the medical school, the others preferred its elective inclusion. The majority of the participants (94.5%) believed that learning professionalism needs more than only a theoretical course. A longitudinal approach for teaching professionalism was the most agreed approach in comparison to time-limited course. There was a significant difference between attitude of the students and interns in terms of necessity of lifelong learning and updated knowledge, inter-professional collaboration and team-work and the importance of continuous education. Also, frequency of professional behaviors (e.g. number of weekly studied articles, use of earlier notation and participation in social services in the past few years) were statistically different based on the level of education. Conclusion: Despite positive attitudes of medical students t o w a r d specific elements of professionalism (empathy, teamwork, and lifelong learning), they rarely take advantage of them in their behavior.