Affiliation:
1. Laboratory of Translational Biomedicine University of the Extreme South of Santa Catarina Criciuma Santa Catarina Brazil
2. Postgraduate Program in Collective Health University of the Extreme South of Santa Catarina Criciúma Santa Catarina Brazil
3. Faculty of Medicine of the University of São Paulo (FMUSP) São Paulo Brazil
4. Laboratory of Evidence‐Based Practice University of Mato Grosso do Sul Campo Grande Mato Grosso do Sul Brazil
Abstract
AbstractObjectiveThe objective of this study is to evaluate the association of disciplinary actions by regulatory councils and unprofessional behaviour during medical graduation.MethodsA search strategy was developed using the terms: ‘physicians’, ‘disciplinary action’, ‘education’, ‘medical’, ‘undergraduate’ and their synonyms, subsequently applied to the electronic databases MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, LILACs and grey literature, with searches up to November 2023. The risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle‐Ottawa scale and statistical analysis was performed using the RevMan software.ResultsA total of 400 studies were found in the databases, and 15 studies were selected for full‐texting reading. Four studies met the inclusion criteria and were included, bringing together a total of 3341 evaluated physicians. Three studies were included in the meta‐analysis, showing a greater chance of disciplinary actions among physicians who exhibited unprofessional behaviour during medical graduation (OR: 2.54; 95%CI: 1.87–3.44; I2: 0%; P < 0.0001; 3077 participants; physicians with disciplinary action: 107/323; control physicians: 222/2754).ConclusionsThere is a statistically significant association between unprofessional behaviour during medical undergraduate study and subsequent disciplinary actions by Medical Councils. The tools for periodic assessments of student behaviour during undergraduate studies can be a perspective for future studies aimed at reducing disciplinary actions among physicians.