Professionalism in healthcare organizations--a unique model in the Assuta Medical Centers Network

"Medical professionalism signifies a set of values, behaviors, and relationships that underpin the trust the public has in doctors". Healthcare organizations and medical schools are expected to ensure that their employees and graduates possess these values, behaviors and skills. The importance of maintaining professionalization within the organization led the Assuta Medical Centers Network to establish a School of Professionalism in January 2014. All of the employees within Assuta are scheduled to participate in a training program focused on Professionalism in Healthcare. Training includes a unique, interactive teaching initiative facilitated by leaders chosen from among Assuta employees. Each training class comprises heterogeneous sets of employees from all divisions within the organization (medical, administrative, support employees etc.). Until February 2015, a total of 1,225 workers participated in this program. This novel intervention initiative is being evaluated and assessed in order to understand how the trainees perceive professionalism before and after the interventions; to observe changes in their attitudes, behaviors and skills following the training; and to assess short and long-term outcomes as this program progresses over the years.