From: Life imitating art: Depictions of the hidden curriculum in medical television programs
Theme | Definition | Example |
---|---|---|
Major themes | ||
Hierarchical nature of medicine | ||
Discipline | This centers around the primacy put on certain specialties and sub specialties. | Perceived “superiority” of some specialties over others |
Position in the hierarchy | The reinforcement of junior-senior interprofessional relations and positions within the medical hierarchy. | A staff physician belittling a junior resident |
Patient perspective | Patients reinforcing hierarchy among medical trainees. | Patient refuses the services of a younger-looking professional over an older professional |
Unprofessionalism | This refers to an individual’s behavior that demonstrates a lack of integrity or responsibility from others | Unprofessionalism from a staff physician |
Evidence of tolerance of unprofessional behavior | ||
Patient dehumanization | A broad term that demonstrates a lack of empathy or respect for patients from medical professionals. | Treating patients as objects/ data sources |
Not referring to patients by name but by diagnosis | ||
Life balance | This encompasses the challenges experienced by all medical professionals in keeping an equilibrium between hours worked and the demands of personal/ family life. | Putting aside personal time to stay beyond the time needed for a shift |
Role modeling | How medical students “model” exemplary behavior of staff doctors | Trainees modeling/ tailoring behaviors to meet needs of staff doctors |
Discussions regarding behaviors they ‘have to model’ but will not continue when they are independent | ||
Minor themes | ||
Consequences of the hidden curriculum | This refers to the loss of idealism among medical students as they progress from their first year into their residency and beyond. | Loss of idealism of trainees |
Emotional neutralization/ suppression | ||
Adoption of a “ritualized” professional identity | ||
Change in ethical integrity | ||
Shift from focus on patient care to medical technology or nature of procedure | ||
Staging | Challenges during transitional stages in medicine | Discrepancy between what is seen in theory and on the wards |
Faking it | Reflects dishonest behavior for personal gain regarding prestige, competition, and favoritism. | Overstating capabilities |