Professionalism deficiencies in a first-quarter doctor-patient relationship course predict poor clinical performance in medical school

Background. The purpose of this study was to determine whether four types of professionalism deficiencies in medical students identified during a first-year course on doctor-patient relationships might predict poor performance in third-year clerkships. Method. Preceptors identified students who had deficiencies in interviewing patients: extreme shyness, poor process skills, paternalism, or a negative attitude toward interviewing. Deficient students were matched by academic ability to a control group. Performance on third-year clerkships was compared. Results. Students with paternalistic behavior or negative attitudes had significantly lower third-year grades. Conclusions. Professionalism deficiencies that result in the inability of the student to establish patient rapport are detectable early and predict problems in future clinical performance.