Assessment of Knowledge and Attitude Towards Medical Ethics among Medical Students

Abstract

Background: A sense of discontent with services of medical practitioners and growing reliance on alternativemedicine with increased public awareness, negative publicity leads to increased lawsuits against medicalprofessionals. Medical ethics training provides a basis for balancing one’s obligation to patient and practice,as well as responsibility to those seeking medical care. Aims and Objectives: To assess medical students’knowledge and attitude towards medical ethics. Material and Method: A cross-sectional questionnairebased study among 246 medical undergraduates was conducted. Data was analyzed for percentage, meanand ‘t’ test. Results: Majority knew importance of medical ethics in medical profession and existenceof institutional ethics committee. 84.9% agreed that written informed consent should be mandatory.Response was statistically significant regarding confidentiality (p=0.001883), utmost respect for humanlife (p=0.00542) and respect for dignity and privacy of patient (p=0.001408). 80.4% disagreed that ethicalconduct is important only to avoid legal action. 82.5% agreed strongly to integrate medical ethics in medicalcurriculum. Conclusion: Though students had adequate knowledge about medical ethics, reinforcement atall levels of medical education is necessary.