Medical Student Perspectives on Professionalism in a Third-Year Surgery Clerkship – A Mixed Methods Study

Key Points

• Perceptions of professionalism significantly influence students' learning experiences in surgical training, and mentoring plays a key role.
• Key themes include moral distress and communication, with many students reporting instances where these affected their education.
• Qualitative analysis through interviews and surveys reveals important insights into how students interpret professionalism in clinical settings in a surgical clerkship experience to enhance training effectiveness and culture across programs may be necessary in future adjustments to surgical education frameworks, ensuring a supportive learning environment.