Medical interns’ perception towards the medical professionalism concept in traditional and competency-based medical curricula: a cross-sectional study

Background The competency-based curriculum emphasizes outcomes-based training and integrated learning, prioritizing the demonstration of competencies essential for effective patient care. Within this framework, professionalism is recognized as a cornerstone, encompassing the attitudes, behaviors, and attributes that shape physicians’ professional identity. Understanding perceptions of professionalism is crucial, as these influence the development of professional behaviors among medical trainees. Aim This study aimed to compare the perceptions of medical interns regarding traditional and competency-based curricula at Tanta Faculty of Medicine, Egypt, to emphasize the importance of professionalism and its impact on professional development. Patients and methods This analytical comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at Tanta University Hospitals between March 2024 and March 2025, involving medical interns from both traditional and competency-based curricula. Data were collected using a validated electronic questionnaire, which included demographic information and assessments of perceptions of medical professionalism domains. Results A total of 374 responses were received from medical interns of both traditional (group 1) and competency-based (group 2) curricula. Group 2 expressed significantly higher positive responses towards the professionalism domains compared to group 1 (12.3 vs. 5.1%). Scores of the total professionalism score were significantly higher in the competency-based group compared to the traditional one (140.4 ± 12.6 vs. 133.5 ± 14.3). Qualitative content analysis revealed a significant perception of group 2 towards professionalism. Conclusion The findings of this study indicate that interns educated through a competency-based curriculum showed greater awareness and valuing of medical professionalism than those from the traditional program, highlighting its importance in their future practice.