The professional identity of a future doctor is a key indicator of successful socialization, professional development, and readiness for independent clinical practice. It reflects the degree to which medical students internalize professional values, ethical principles, and responsibilities while developing confidence in their future roles as healthcare providers. This article presents the results of a survey conducted among 340 first- to sixth-year medical students to examine the factors influencing the formation of professional identity during undergraduate medical education. The findings demonstrate that several interconnected factors play a significant role in this process, including motivation for choosing the medical profession, the intensity and quality of clinical practice, the effectiveness of mentoring relationships, academic engagement, and perceived stress levels. The results indicate that students with strong intrinsic motivation and regular interaction with experienced clinical mentors demonstrate higher levels of professional identity. Furthermore, early immersion in authentic clinical settings, active participation in extracurricular professional activities, scientific research, volunteer initiatives, and professional organizations contribute significantly to strengthening students’ sense of belonging to the medical profession. These findings emphasize the importance of creating supportive educational environments that integrate theoretical knowledge with practical experience and foster continuous professional growth throughout medical training. Such educational strategies can enhance the development of competent, confident, and ethically responsible future physicians.

ZAIMOGLU O.

PhD, professor, Ankara music and fine arts university, Ankara, Turkey.

Е-mail: omerzaimoglu@hotmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9884-8397

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