Teaching professionalism in the early years of a medical curriculum: a qualitative study

Abstract

Reflection is integral to professional development. Early clinical contact is an important part of the process of socialisation, as it allows students to enter the community of practice that is the medical profession. Role models can contribute powerfully to students' learning and identity formation. As students move towards fuller participation, the clinical milieu should be controlled to maximise the influence of role models, and opportunities for guided reflection should be sustained.