A case of good practice in medical education

Abstract

Introduction: According to the results of research, students consider that the most important characteristics of a successful professor in the area of higher education in Medicine and related areas are: knowledge in the respective discipline, values and pedagogic formation.

Materials and methods: This was a qualitative research with hermeneutical approach. The most significant professor for undergraduate medical training was selected by analyzing the perceptions of students in the last year of the career. To further inquire about him/her, different instruments were used, namely: surveys and in-depth interviews with students and focal groups with the latter and with coworkers, patients and relatives of the selected professor.

Results: Three categories were established based on the analysis of data: the professor as a person, the professor as a teacher and the professor as a doctor. The following values and human qualities of the professor were found to be of great importance for students because he/she is a model to follow: respect for their individuality, interest in promoting the development of their potentials, positive reinforcement, responsibility and coherence between the way he/she thinks and how he/she acts.

Conclusions: Students state that the trace left by a professor during their medical training relates to his/ her attitudes and personal values, which stand above suitability in the respective discipline and teaching skills.