Putting theory into practice - a case study in one UK medical school of the nature and extent of unprofessional behaviour over a 6-year period

Producing a medical profession which is fit for the demands and expectations of society involves ensuring that practitioners learn what it means to behave in a 'professional' way. Codes of professional conduct have been developed for medical students in the UK, but the literature on how medical schools actually apply these is small. More detail is needed to evaluate approaches to assessing professionalism, or to analyse the extent to which students 'fail' this aspect.