Knowledge, attitude and practice of healthcare ethics among final year medical and nursing students at a college in South India

Abstract

nursing students before they start dealing with patients. The aim of the study is to assess the knowledge of, attitude and practice of health care ethics among final year medical and nursing students and to compare the same among these students. Methodology: The cross sectional study was done using a validated questionnaire on 75 students each from final year MBBS and nursing. The collected data was interpreted using appropriate statistical methods like percentages, proportions. Chi square test was used for comparison, p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The medical and nursing students included in our study had significant knowledge about medical ethics like autonomy where there is respect to patient and his decisions regarding treatment plans. The students lacked sensitivity on issues of paternalism. Majority of respondents also felt that any wrong doing by health care professional should be conveyed to the patient. Respondents had inclination towards learning ethics and wanted it in their respective curriculum. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the paucity in knowledge of health care ethics among medical and nursing students. Respondents had an inclination to study ethics of health care.