Level of professional ethics of medical students in externships and internships in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in 2018

Abstract

Introduction: Due to the fact that medical errors leading to mortality have been associated with low levels of professional ethics in physicians, this study was performed with aim to determine and compare the level of professional ethics of medical students in externships and internships at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 as a census on 307 students of Mashhad Medical School. In order to collect information, the professionalism level questionnaire including 5 dimensions (duty / responsibility, superiority / independence - dignity / honesty, altruism, respect) was used. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 16) and ANOVA, Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests. P0.087). In the "altruism" dimension, trainees of the first-year opinion were relatively agreed, but trainees of the second year and internship students disagreed with this dimension (p<0.01). Conclusion: In terms of responsibility, honesty and respect, the mean scores of interns and second year stagers were significantly higher than the one year stagers; the mean score of altruism in the one year stagers was higher than the other two groups. Therefore, we must take steps to improve the level of professional ethics of students through the empowerment of professors, appropriate training of professional ethics in the form of theoretical and practical courses.

Keywords

• iran
• medicine
• professional ethics
• students