Medical students to get check-up for bad behaviour

Published on Tuesday 26 May 2009 22:01

MEDICAL students who misbehave at university and fail to turn up at lectures could find themselves labelled potentially risky doctors under a new system to flag up early concerns.

The so-called "Conscientiousness Index" awards or deducts points for factors such as attendance at seminars, communicating well with teaching staff or handing in work on time.

The researchers who developed the system said they hoped awarding a score would allow them to target support at students at an early stage to help create better doctors.

The British Medical Association (BMA) said there were already systems in place in medical training to help make sure doctors were professional.

Medical students have become well-known for their "work hard, play hard" approach. But there could be concerns if this attitude affects their professionalism during their studies.

Research in the United States has suggested that negative behaviour by medical students is linked to subsequent negative behaviour during their careers.

The new index, developed by Durham University's school of medicine, measures "day-to-day" diligence among students.

The system was tested on about 200 students who had points awarded or deducted for attendance, responding to staff e-mails, submitting data they were asked for and other elements to indicate a professional attitude.

The vast majority were found to be extremely conscientious, with a small proportion showing inconsistencies in their levels of professionalism.

Lead researcher Professor John McLachlan said: "A doctor's behaviour is as important as his or her knowledge.

"In fact, most complaints to the General Medical Council are about doctors' behaviour, not their lack of knowledge.

"In medical training, it is vital that we train people to be rounded, knowledgeable and professional.

"Using the index, we found that the vast majority of students are highly conscientious, making a very small percentage stand out when they lapse.

"This makes it easier for staff to identify those students and take early steps to help them."

The system, discussed in the journal Academic Medicine, has already attracted interest from other UK universities and could also be used among newly qualified junior doctors.

A BMA Scotland spokeswoman said: "Good communication skills and the ability to manage administrative tasks are essential for a doctor in today's NHS. There are already a number of processes incorporated into the medical training programme which ensure that tomorrow's doctors will follow good medical practice."

Well-rounded personalities make good doctors

THE General Medical Council has made it clear that there is more to being a good doctor than simply being someone who is able to pass exams.

Medicine needs a lot of individuals from a variety of different backgrounds who have a well-rounded education and experience in a range of things. That includes getting involved in sport, doing charity work and travelling, as well as enjoying socialising and meeting students from different backgrounds.

These things all contribute to making good doctors. They are also reflected in the application forms you have to fill in for your first job, which rewards achievement and participation in extracurricular activities.

Medical students have always had a high level of professionalism and conscientiousness expected of them. This is already set out in guidance by the GMC.

Many medical schools, including my medical school in Edinburgh, already have students sign up to a professional code of conduct when they start.

As a student, I would welcome any system which would help those who need help, rather than using it as a stick to threaten them with being thrown out of medical school if they fail to improve.

&#149 John Hallett is a fourth-year medical student at Edinburgh University and chairman of the BMA's Scottish medical students committee.