There are some objective assessment tools that look at emotional and cognitive intelligence; however, they are expensive and require certified evaluators. Assessing actual student attitudes and behavior during the educational process is arguably a better way of ensuring that graduates are competent in these areas. Judgments about attitudinal and behavioral competencies are legitimate and no more arbitrary than those made about scientific or clinical knowledge. Therefore, teachers and mentors must demand appropriate behaviors when they interact with students in clinical teaching environments.
According to Punkett,3 “If ethical, professional, and interpersonal skills are important to the profession and should be taught in professional programs, then students need structured feedback on these behaviors, just as they receive feedback on their medical knowledge and clinical skills.” Institutions can begin (or enhance) development of these skills by publishing standards that address professional behaviors in addition to the academic and technical standards that are the mainstay of curricula.
We cannot overestimate the importance of modeling and the role that peers and preceptors play in the process of fostering compassion in clinicians. According to Cooke et al,4 “Cognitive psychology has demonstrated that facts and concepts are best recalled and put into service when they are taught, practiced, and assessed in the context in which they will be used.”
PAs, NPs, and physicians are expected by our society to meet the highest professional and ethical standards. I started this editorial by illustrating where one physician did not meet this standard and where one PA did. The title is a little misleading (purposefully), since I think we (PAs and NPs) are leading the way in compassionate health care. We must continue that leadership and model that behavior to our peers and colleagues who are physicians and avert the demise of compassion in our health care system.
I would love to hear your examples of situations when one of your peers met and actually exceeded your expectations of compassionate health care. Please send your responses to this editorial to PAeditor@qhc.com.