Defining Professionalism

Dr Jenny Willis, SCEPTrE Fellow 2008/09

We recognise it when we see it, but how can we define professionalism, let alone assess it?  This seminar will look at some of the findings that emerged from research conducted during my SCEPTrE Fellowship into desired and perceived learning outcomes and assessment.  Drawing from Barnett, Eraut, and Knight and York’s theories of professional learning, I will discuss the themes that have emerged from student narratives of their Professional Training year, and from the annual survey 2007/08 completed by returning placement students.  What they report they have learnt is consistent with Michael Eraut’s learning trajectories (a mixture of understanding, skills and personal attitudes and qualities), each of which comprises multiple strands that are pulled into a continuous, ever-changing plait of professional and personal development.  This is constantly changing for the individual and has infinite permutations.  How, then, can we define learning outcomes and assess them fairly?  I will demonstrate a tool that I have derived from the findings, which can be used by curriculum planners or the individual student reflecting critically upon her placement experience.

In Search of Professionalism e-book Chapter 

Powerpoint slides 

Video presentation