Comparison of Cognitive Professionalism in Residents of Public and Private Hospitals of Karachi.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the cognitive professionalism in resident medical officers (RMOs) of public and private hospitals of Karachi.

STUDY DESIGN: Across-sectional survey.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Civil Hospital and Ziauddin Medical University Clifton Campus, Karachi, from August to December 2014.

METHODOLOGY: This survey was conducted in one public and one private medical college. All residents from Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medicine and Surgery departments were included with non-probability purposive sampling. Avalidated tool (Barry Challenges to Professionalism questionnaire) was used to assess professionalism, containing six challenges to professionalism (acceptance of gifts, conflict of interest, confidentiality, physician impairment, sexual harassment, and honesty) with multiple-choice responses. Data was analyzed with SPSS version 17 and chi-square test was used for determining significant difference between public and private institutes.

RESULTS: Forty-three residents from both the places responded. The frequency of acceptable answers to the six scenarios ranged from 0% to 55.8%. Acceptable responses were more from private-sector institute residents than public-sector residents, but no statistical significant difference was seen.

CONCLUSION: Most residents did not provide appropriate responses to professional challenges. The postgraduate training programs are very stringent on medical knowledge and skills. However, it is needed to address formally professional attitudes and behaviors and include them as a competency in the training program.