An international journal dedicated to allied health professional practice and education
http://ijahsp.nova.edu        Vol. 5 No. 2       ISSN 1540-580X 

A Peer Reviewed Publication of the College of Allied Health & Nursing at Nova Southeastern University

Compassion and Integrity in Health Professions Education

Randy D. Danielsen, PhD, PA-C1
James F. Cawley, MPH, PA-C2

  1. Dean and Professor, Arizona School of Health Sciences

  2. Professor and Director, PA/MPH Program, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, The George Washington University

Citation:

Danielsen, R., Cawley, J. Compassion and Integrity in Health Professions Education. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. April 2007, Volume 5 Number 2.

Abstract
Issues related to professionalism have come to the fore in health professions education. Strategies designed to evaluate and increase components of professionalism are now of interest to educators. Skills in improving levels of professionalism can be accurately assessed and taught. Professionalism encompasses attributes of compassion and integrity. Tools to measure indices of compassion have been developed. There are three critical stages in which attributes of compassion and integrity can be assessed: prior to admission, during education, and graduation standards. One effective means of transferring skills related to professionalism is modeling. Health professions educators need to be more aware of the issues related to the assessment of elements of professionalism.

Keywords and terms: professionalism, compassion, integrity, health professions education

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