Informing medical student selection into the future: health professional educator perspectives on the characteristics of a ‘good doctor’

Abstract

Background In the debate surrounding medical student selection in Australia and abroad, the contributions of stakeholders (and of patients in particular) have been limited. A pilot study was undertaken as part of a PeArL session at the 2011 ANZAHPE conference. The views and experiences of health professional educators were sought to inform further investigation with other stakeholders. Methods of Research The session was recorded with participant consent and the transcript analysed utilising a phenomenological methodology in the NVivo program. Results of Research Participants described their experience of the conflict between the characteristics valued by different stakeholders with whom they had interacted, leading to complexity in devising selection methods. They described encounters with students displaying undesirable characteristics such as dishonesty, apathy and arrogance. They also emphasised their belief that students at either end of the spectrum on some characteristics may be problematic, such as the student who is 'too empathetic' and at risk of burn out. Conclusions Health professional educators vividly described their experience in relation to student selection. Their phenomenological descriptions will inform question schedules for the main study, where the experience of a wider range of stakeholders will be sought.