Hidden curriculum, medical education, and professionalism: An integrative review

Abstract

Hidden curriculum results from interpersonal relations experienced in academia and go beyond the formal curriculum, being both a facilitator and an obstacle to learning. This analysis aims at understanding the thematic approach of medical education and its relationship with professionalism. Through an integrative review, we were able to observe a cognitive and emotional overload in students caused by hidden curriculum. However, we noticed how medical education has been trying to reduce these negative effects. In this sense, it is important to question hegemonic models that influence values, interests, discourses, knowledges, and practices throughout the learning process. In order to do that, it is essential to discuss concepts/actions such as identity, diversity, inclusion, hegemony, ideology, power, and culture, which can occur longitudinally and integrated with curricular units related to Humanities.