Medical professionalism and its association among clinical medical students

Medical professionalism is a crucial competency, defined as the behaviours and attitudes that embody core values such as trust, accountability, and patient-centered care. It is a dynamic trait that evolves primarily during medical education and residency. However, the relationship between contributing factors and professionalism remains unclear, as previous studies have reported mixed results. This study aims to explore the level of medical professionalism among clinical students at a local university and its associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted among all 302 clinical medical students at the university, recruited via universal sampling. The validated Learner's Attitude of Medical Professionalism Scale (LAMPS) was used as the assessment tool. Sociodemographic data, including educational background, parental occupations, and prior exposure to medical professionalism training, were collected. Significant associated factors were analyzed using chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression. The results showed that only 58.3% of students achieved a good medical professionalism score. Significant contributing factors included willingness to pursue a career in medicine (OR 4.5, CI: 2.37–8.49) and a previous attendance at an Islamic medical school (OR 1.7, CI: 1.05–2.76). In conclusion, fostering medical professionalism should begin early, before students enroll in medical school. The Islamic curriculum plays an important role in shaping students' professionalism. Additionally, screening prospective students for their willingness to pursue medicine is crucial in producing medical doctors with integrity