Barriers and Solutions to Reclaiming Professionalism

Session Format: Four-Part Discussion (10 minutes each)

1) Evolving Concept of Professionalism in Medicine (Brad Barth)
• Overview of professionalism as a foundational competency in medical education.
• How AΩA has been at the forefront of professionalism research and discussion, and what they have done to advance professionalism in the field.

2) Systems Perspective: The Environment of Healthcare Challenges Professionalism and Contributes to Moral Injury (Wendy Dean)
• Discussion of the ties between professionalism and moral injury.
• How the landscape of medicine has come to prioritize profitability; its implications for clinical practice and care work; and how reclaiming professionalism is foundational to preventing and mitigating moral injury.

3) Clinician Perspective: Insights from ABFM Interviews (Annie Koempel)
• Key findings from in-depth interviews with ABFM diplomates on their understandings and lived experiences of professionalism.
• Implications for both systems change and integration into medical education.

4) Education: ABFM’s Priorities and Actions on Professionalism (Andrea Anderson)
• ABFM’s efforts to integrate professionalism into certification and physician development.
• Current and future research directions on professionalism as a measurable competency.
• Opportunities for collaboration with ABMS and other certifying boards to strengthen professionalism within competency-based assessment frameworks.

Conclusion and audience feedback: This session will foster discussion on barriers to professionalism and how ABMS, ABFM, AΩA, and the broader medical community can reclaim and support professionalism as a core element of physician identity and practice.