Identifying professional characteristics of the ideal medical doctor: The laddering technique

Miles, Susan and Leinster, Sam J. (2010) Identifying professional characteristics of the ideal medical doctor: The laddering technique. Medical Teacher, 32 (2). pp. 136-140. ISSN 1466-187X

Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)

Abstract

Objective: The aim was to examine the utility of the laddering interview technique to investigate complex issues in medical education, such as professionalism. Method: The laddering technique was used to identify examples of professional behaviour associated with the ideal medical doctor, and to explain why participants thought these behaviours were important. Three groups were interviewed: doctors (n = 30), first-year medical students (n = 31) and patients (n = 33). Results: All groups identified characteristics associated with a ‘communication and interpersonal skills’ theme. Data suggested the essence of the doctor–patient interaction was shared by the groups, with varying later emphases due to their different perspectives. Additionally, Doctors and Students generated characteristics associated with ‘team-working’ and ‘competence’ themes; Doctors’ conceptualisation of each theme was more detailed. Positive and negative impacts of Doctor's professional behaviour on the patient, doctor and the wider medical arena were also identified. Conclusion: Use of laddering resulted in data-rich results for each of the three stakeholder groups, illustrating shared and divergent preferences as to the preferred characteristics of a medical doctor and effects of successful and less-successful doctor–patient interactions. The identified characteristics are relevant to the area under investigation and salient to these key stakeholders.

Item Type:	Article
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User:	EPrints Services
Date Deposited:	25 Nov 2010 11:12
Last Modified:	22 Dec 2022 15:31
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/14386
DOI:	10.3109/01421590903196987

Actions (login required)

View Item