title: The challenge of authenticity for medical students.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The development of a professional identity occurs during medical school. Formal study of students' reflections on this process may provide insight into how to better support them.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative data analysis of 56 student essays was undertaken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Students' early interactions with patients seem to be influential in their process of identity development. Students were preoccupied with creating or preserving a professional persona in front of patients. They responded to this perceived challenge in three ways: some were concerned with controlling the experience and expression of emotion, others felt that they failed to be authentic, and the third group focused on the patient's experience of the interaction and agonised over what the patients might want.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This article adds to the literature by highlighting the struggles medical students encounter trying to behave and feel the way they think they ought. Students may be less troubled and participate more naturally in empathic communication if they learn to access authentic emotions in their interactions with patients. This article discusses strategies for medical faculties and clinical tutors to support and encourage them to do so. Students' early interactions with patients seem to be influential in their process of identity development.
authors.affiliation: University of Sydney, Sydney Medical School, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Lucinda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Roper
authors.affiliation: University of Sydney, Sydney Medical School, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Kirsty
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.affiliation: University of Sydney, Sydney Medical School, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Garlan
authors.affiliation: University of Sydney, Sydney Medical School, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jorm
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D003142:Communication; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000068156:Formative Feedback; D006801:Humans; D010819:Physician's Role; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*