Using a consensus approach to develop a medical professionalism framework for the Sri Lankan context

• Main Authors: Amaya Tharindi Ellawala, Madawa Chandratilake, Nilanthi de Silva
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: National University of Singapore 2021-01-01
• Series: The Asia Pacific Scholar
• Subjects: professionalism; culture; consensus
• Online Access: https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/taps/using-a-consensus-approach-to-develop-a-medical-professionalism-framework-for-the-sri-lankan-context/

Introduction: Professionalism is a context-specific entity, and should be defined in relation to a country’s socio-cultural backdrop. This study aimed to develop a framework of medical professionalism relevant to the Sri Lankan context. Methods: An online Delphi study was conducted with local stakeholders of healthcare, to achieve consensus on the essential attributes of professionalism for a doctor in Sri Lanka. These were built into a framework of professionalism using qualitative and quantitative methods. Results: Forty-six attributes of professionalism were identified as essential, based on Content Validity Index supplemented by Kappa ratings. ‘Possessing adequate knowledge and skills’, ‘displaying a sense of responsibility’ and ‘being compassionate and caring’ emerged as the highest rated items. The proposed framework has three domains: professionalism as an individual, professionalism in interactions with patients and co-workers and professionalism in fulfilling expectations of the profession and society, and displays certain characteristics unique to the local context. Conclusion: This study enabled the development of a culturally relevant, conceptual framework of professionalism as grounded in the views of multiple stakeholders of healthcare in Sri Lanka, and prioritisation of the most essential attributes.