e-Professionalism in medical education ("an essential and increasingly important element of professional identity formation")

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23530680

Teach Learn Med. 2013 Apr-Jun;25(2):165-70. doi: 10.1080/10401334.2013.770741.

e-Professionalism: A New Frontier in Medical Education.

Kaczmarczyk JM, Chuang A, Dugoff L, Abbott JF, Cullimore AJ, Dalrymple J, Davis KR, Hueppchen NA, Katz NT, Nuthalapaty FS, Pradhan A, Wolf A, Casey PM.

Source

a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, OB/GYN , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , USA.

Abstract

Background: This article, prepared by the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics Undergraduate Medical Education Committee, discusses the evolving challenges facing medical educators posed by social media and a new form of professionalism that has been termed e-professionalism. 

Summary: E-professionalism is defined as the attitudes and behaviors that reflect traditional professionalism paradigms but are manifested through digital media. One of the major functions of medical education is professional identity formation; e-professionalism is an essential and increasingly important element of professional identity formation, because the consequences of violations of e-professionalism have escalated from academic sanctions to revocation of licensure. 

Conclusion: E-professionalism should be included in the definition, teaching, and evaluation of medical professionalism. Curricula should include a positive approach for the proper professional use of social media for learners.