The experiences of unprofessionalism among students in dental education: a qualitative study

Abstract Aim The present study aimed to explore the unprofessional behavior of educators, senior students, and peers in the education process of dental and oral health services. Method This qualitative study employed a conventional content analysis approach. The undergraduate students (n = 21) were...

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Main Author: Fatemeh Keshmiri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-01-01
Series:BMC Medical Education
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06558-w
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author Fatemeh Keshmiri
author_facet Fatemeh Keshmiri
author_sort Fatemeh Keshmiri
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Aim The present study aimed to explore the unprofessional behavior of educators, senior students, and peers in the education process of dental and oral health services. Method This qualitative study employed a conventional content analysis approach. The undergraduate students (n = 21) were recruited to participate in the study through purposive sampling. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews. The qualitative data was analyzed using a five-step conventional content analysis method, as delineated by Graneheim and Lundman. The process involved five steps, including identifying meaning units, condensing them, assigning codes, establishing categories and subcategories, and identifying overarching themes. Results The students’ experiences were explored in a theme “formation of unprofessional subcultures” that includes categories of “multifaceted disrespect”, “dishonesty in professional responsibility”, and “neglecting the professional accountability.” Conclusion According to the findings, educators and students exhibited unprofessional conduct in accountability, respect, and honesty. The results indicate that disrespectful behavior, dishonesty, irresponsibility, and a lack of accountability have become normal within the dental education system. This normalization occurs through the hidden curriculum, which inadvertently educates students on these unprofessional behaviors alongside the formal curriculum. The subcultures of unprofessionalism were explained as a trigger that significantly influences students’ professional development and future behaviors in the dental field.
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spelling doaj-art-4f6c342d1a8845ed840e15db979c376d2025-01-12T12:28:25ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202025-01-0125111110.1186/s12909-024-06558-wThe experiences of unprofessionalism among students in dental education: a qualitative studyFatemeh Keshmiri0Medical Education Department, Education Development Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical SciencesAbstract Aim The present study aimed to explore the unprofessional behavior of educators, senior students, and peers in the education process of dental and oral health services. Method This qualitative study employed a conventional content analysis approach. The undergraduate students (n = 21) were recruited to participate in the study through purposive sampling. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews. The qualitative data was analyzed using a five-step conventional content analysis method, as delineated by Graneheim and Lundman. The process involved five steps, including identifying meaning units, condensing them, assigning codes, establishing categories and subcategories, and identifying overarching themes. Results The students’ experiences were explored in a theme “formation of unprofessional subcultures” that includes categories of “multifaceted disrespect”, “dishonesty in professional responsibility”, and “neglecting the professional accountability.” Conclusion According to the findings, educators and students exhibited unprofessional conduct in accountability, respect, and honesty. The results indicate that disrespectful behavior, dishonesty, irresponsibility, and a lack of accountability have become normal within the dental education system. This normalization occurs through the hidden curriculum, which inadvertently educates students on these unprofessional behaviors alongside the formal curriculum. The subcultures of unprofessionalism were explained as a trigger that significantly influences students’ professional development and future behaviors in the dental field.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06558-wUnprofessionalProfessionalismProfessionalDentalDentistryQualitative
spellingShingle Fatemeh Keshmiri
The experiences of unprofessionalism among students in dental education: a qualitative study
BMC Medical Education
Unprofessional
Professionalism
Professional
Dental
Dentistry
Qualitative
title The experiences of unprofessionalism among students in dental education: a qualitative study
title_full The experiences of unprofessionalism among students in dental education: a qualitative study
title_fullStr The experiences of unprofessionalism among students in dental education: a qualitative study
title_full_unstemmed The experiences of unprofessionalism among students in dental education: a qualitative study
title_short The experiences of unprofessionalism among students in dental education: a qualitative study
title_sort experiences of unprofessionalism among students in dental education a qualitative study
topic Unprofessional
Professionalism
Professional
Dental
Dentistry
Qualitative
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06558-w
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