Abstract

MATOS, Mariana Santiago de et al. First semester in medical school: reality shock and the beginning of acquisition of physician's professional identity. Rev. Psicol. Saúde [online]. 2019, vol.11, n.3, pp. 157-171. ISSN 2177-093X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.20435/pssa.v0i0.660.

When initiating medical school, students often have expectations that do not match the reality they face. This research aimed to identify differences between these expectations and reality, seeking to understand more about the beginning of the construction of physician's professional identity. It is a qualitative research, guided by the Underlying Discourse Unveiling Method, in which 77 students from the first semester of the medical school of Estácio de Sá University participated, 67 of whom answered a questionnaire and 10 were interviewed individually. Data analysis revealed that the participants had idealized expectations about their classmates and the program, and entering the university provoked a de-idealization which seems to be the first step towards the acquisition of the physician's professional identity. The contrast between the expectations about the program and a more arduous reality than the expected, however, can precipitate psychological distress, which suggests the need for supporting the student.

Keywords : medical education; Medicine; universities; medical students; subjectivity.

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