title: Perceptions of professionalism in dentistry - a qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Professionalism is an essential competence for dental professionals. Dental educators require both a clear definition and an understanding of the scope of professionalism in order to teach and assess it. The aim of this study was to identify concepts of professionalism in dentistry and the themes within this construct.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured interviews with participants purposively sampled to ensure representation of relevant viewpoints. Qualitative framework analysis was used to induct themes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four themes arose from the data: (i) professionalism as a second order competence, (ii) the expression of professionalism as dependent on context, (iii) reflection as a necessary component and (iv) professionalism encompasses both tacit and overt personal aspects. These results were then incorporated into a conceptual model of dental professionalism.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Analysis of the interview data reveals that participants conceptualise professionalism as the manner in which one reflects on and reconciles different aspects of professional practice, which demonstrates acceptance of professional responsibility and accountability. It is manifested in the manner in which work is carried out. The definition and model conceptualise the construct of professionalism within dentistry that can be used to derive an educational and assessment system.
authors.affiliation: Academic Unit of Restorative Dentistry, School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Claremont Crescent, Sheffield, S10 2TA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zijlstra-Shaw
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D003813:Dentistry / Q000592:standards; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011361:Professional Competence; D036301:Qualitative Research; D055815:Young Adult