The Heroic and the Villainous: a qualitative study characterising the role models that shaped senior doctors’ professional identity

BMC Medical Education

Research Article

Kirsty Foster¹  Chris Roberts² 

[1] Medical Education and International Health, Sydney Medical School - Northern, Kolling Institute and Office for Global Health, University of Sydney, Level 7 Kolling Building, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, 2065, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia;Medical Education and Primary Care, Sydney Medical School- Northern, Kolling Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia;

关键词: Professional identity;    Role model;    Narrative analysis;    Emotion;    Clinical education;    Reflection on behaviour;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12909-016-0731-0

 received in 2015-05-04, accepted in 2016-08-09,  发布年份 2016

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThe successful development and sustaining of professional identity is critical to being a successful doctor. This study explores the enduring impact of significant early role models on the professional identity formation of senior doctors.MethodsPersonal Interview Narratives were derived from the stories told by twelve senior doctors as they recalled accounts of people and events from the past that shaped their notions of being a doctor. Narrative inquiry methodology was used to explore and analyse video recording and transcript data from interviews.ResultsRole models were frequently characterised as heroic, or villainous depending on whether they were perceived as good or bad influences respectively. The degree of sophistication in participants’ characterisations appeared to correspond with the stage of life of the participant at the time of the encounter. Heroes were characterised as attractive, altruistic, caring and clever, often in exaggerated terms. Conversely, villains were typically characterised as direct or covert bullies. Everyday events were surprisingly powerful, emotionally charged and persisted in participants’ memories much longer than expected. In particular, unresolved emotions dating from encounters where bullying behaviour had been witnessed or experienced were still apparent decades after the event.ConclusionThe characterisation of role models is an important part of the professional identity and socialisation of senior doctors. The enduring impact of what role models say and do means that all doctors, need to consistently reflect on how their own behaviour impacts the development of appropriate professional behaviours in both students and training doctors. This is especially important where problematic behaviours occur as, if not dealt with, they have the potential for long-lasting undesirable effects. The importance of small acts of caring in building a nurturing and supportive learning atmosphere at all stages of medical education cannot be underestimated.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Foster and Roberts. 2016