Ethics Questionnaire Assignment in the Internal Medicine Clerkship

Abstract

Abstract Introduction This assignment allows students to build on the professionalism and ethics knowledge base they have obtained during their preclinical years. It provides them with the opportunity to apply their knowledge of ethical and professional principles and professionalism knowledge they have acquired to the clinical setting and patient care. Methods During their time in the internal medicine clerkship students are asked to identify a situation they encountered while on their rotation in which there was a conflict of ethical principles or professional commitments. Once the situation is identified, students are asked to submit a write-up based on the identified situation. The write-up must answer a series of questions that address issues such as the professional obligations of the student and the physician and the emotional response the situation triggered. The write-up is then reviewed by the clerkship director and the assistant clerkship director. Feedback is provided to the student. Results For the first 2 years we had 37 students per clerkship year for a total of 74 students. For our third year with this assignment, our class size has doubled to 80 students per clerkship year. Students have said that they appreciate the assignment because it gives them the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings regarding the ethical conflicts they encounter while rotating on their clerkship. Faculty have noted that it allows students to discuss their emotions and concerns with someone and helps students learn how to deal with conflicts that they encounter as a student and will continue to encounter as a physician. Discussion One way in which this assignment would produce more value is to increase time spent with the students discussing the ethical issues that are being encountered in the clinical setting. Discussing the common ethical issues that are encountered on the rotation allows students to demonstrate reasoning skills and to reflect on the consequences of ethical conflicts. It also allows students to see the merits of different courses of action to resolve the conflict.

Keywords

• Professionalism
• Ethics
• Internal Medicine
• Clinical Clerkship
• Writing
• Patient Care