Structured Discussions About Professionalism As Trust

Authors

Deborah Simpson, Advocate Health - MidwestFollow
Tricia La Fratta, Advocate Health - MidwestFollow
Kristin Ouweneel, Advocate Health - MidwestFollow
Will Lehmann, Advocate Health - MidwestFollow
Jacob Bidwell, Advocate Health - MidwestFollow
Jessica O'Brien, Advocate Health - MidwestFollow
Kathryn Agard, Advocate Health - MidwestFollow
Nicole Salvo, Advocate Health - MidwestFollow
Esmeralda Santana, Advocate Health - MidwestFollow
David Hamel, Advocate Health - MidwestFollow
William Macdonald, Advocate Health - MidwestFollow
Kirtan Patel, Advocate Health - MidwestFollow
Suzette Caudle, Advocate Health - SoutheastFollow
Leah Delfinado, Advocate Health - MidwestFollow
David Irby

Recommended Citation

Simpson D, La Fratta T, Ouweneel K, et al. Structured Discussions About Professionalism As Trust. Poster presented at: Alliance of Independent Academic Medical Centers (AIAMC) – National Initiative X: Meeting #2; April 17-18, 2026; Carlsbad, CA.

Affiliations

Aurora Health Care

Presentation Notes

Poster presented at: Alliance of Independent Academic Medical Centers (AIAMC) – National Initiative X: Meeting #2; April 17-18, 2026; Carlsbad, CA.

Abstract

Introduction: Unprofessional behavior in health professionals adversely affects patient care quality, safety and experience as well as teamwork and the individual enacting the behavior. If unaddressed and resolved early, the unprofessional behavior continues independent of whether it starts in medical school, residency, or practice. Yet conversations about professionalism can have limited impact on behavior change.

Aims: To reframe the ability to analyze and discuss professional behavior as entrustment focusing on consequences of adverse behaviors on patient care, teamwork, and one’s own growth and development.

Methods: Using reported behaviors perceived as unprofessional we designed a 30-90 min interactive session for medical education trainees and faculty at one ACGME sponsoring institution focused on these behaviors. Sessions began with a brief background including evidence re: adverse effects of unprofessional behavior and then segueing into facilitated small group discussions about the behavior using a behavior ripple strategy. Each small group was divided into thirds by the facilitator and assigned to list the adverse effects on patient care, teamwork, or trust of the individual that enacted the behavior. The trust framework was drawn from business and elaborated drawing on the entrusted professional activities (EPA) literature in medical education.  Following a debriefing about adverse impacts and trust, process was repeated.  All participants were asked to complete an end of session evaluation form.

Results: To date, we have held three sessions with 143 participants (residents/fellows, faculty, medical education administrative staff), 110 of whom completed the evaluation (77%).  Overall, the sessions were highly evaluated: >94% agreed that the trust framework improved their ability to analyze unprofessional behaviors, 98% agreed that perceptions of unprofessional behavior can have adverse effects on patients and teammates, and 88% would recommend session to their colleagues.

Discussion: Overall, the structured small group approach to analyzing unprofessional behavior was effective. Next steps are to disseminate the approach more broadly with some minor revisions per participants’ suggestions and then analyze pre-post differences on select ACGME milestones and teaching evaluation items.

Type

Poster