Teaching professionalism: a student's perspective.

Abstract

As a fourth-year medical student, I was asked to speak about the role of the medical school in teaching and promoting professionalism in its students, and specifically to describe and critique the efficacy of Mount Sinai School of Medicine in this endeavor. I concluded that the concept and framework of professionalism can, in fact, be effectively taught in medical school, but that role modeling and mentoring are also crucial to the development of the professional. Finally, I make suggestions for furthering the promotion of professionalism through medical education at Mount Sinai.