Changes in self-perceptions of professionalism in general surgery residents following introduction of a professionalism education program

Objectives: While there are characteristics of professionalism that seem to be innate in some people, we believe that these same characteristics can be taught and developed. Our objectives included: 1. Defining Professionalism, and the associated principles, as they relate to the General Surgery Residency Program at the University of Manitoba. 2. Adapting/developing a tool that can measure these defined principles. 3. Developing and implementing a 6-month Professionalism education program within the General Surgery Residency core curriculum at the University of Manitoba. 4. Measuring changes in self-perceptions of professionalism following the introduction of the professionalism curriculum. Methods: 1. A previously validated questionnaire detailing self-perceptions of professionalism was administered to all General Surgery residents at the University of Manitoba. 2. A six-month, five-part professionalism education program was implemented (the intervention): • A ‘Defining Professionalism’ session was held • A Code of Professionalism was developed from the ‘Defining Professionalism’ session • Crucial Conversations was administered • Residents took part in a Professionalism Journal Club • Residents participated in a cinemeducation session 3. Post intervention, the same previously validated questionnaire was administered to each General Surgery resident who consented to participate in the study. There was an additional online survey which asked participants to detail a situation in which they had used principles or strategies learned in the training program to achieve a breakthrough in professionalism. 4. Dr. Kelleher completed follow-up interviews with participants, on a volunteer basis. The questions detailed participants’ definitions of professionalism and whether residents thought professionalism can be taught. Results: With the administration of a Professionalism Education Program (PEP), self-perceptions of professionalism showed significant improvement in the are