The influence of role models on the professional self concept and career development of medical doctors

This research investigated the characteristics that medical doctors in the early career stage sought in their role models as well as their role models' influences on their professional self-concept and career development. This research emphasized the impact a role model has on the medical doctor, including how the role model or role models are selected and in what ways they have contributed to the shaping of the professional self concept and career development of the individual. Through a series of in-depth interviews, this research identified particular attributes medical doctors sought out in their role models that addressed the seekers' needs at present, and enumerated ways in which their role models influenced their careers such as professional growth and a source of support through their challenging endeavors.