Medical ethics and tomorrow's physicians: an aspect of coverage in the formal curriculum

Abstract

Medical ethics has created contentious issues and requires reforms in medical education such as renewed emphasis on formal instruction. The aim here was to review the current status of bioethics teaching in medical schools, determine Saudi students’ perception of its coverage in the formal curriculum and make recommendations. Using a self-administered questionnaire in a cross-sectional study, undergraduate students’ opinion about medical ethics coverage was obtained. Fourteen clinical departments and 201 students were studied. Only 46% of respondents were satisfied with the current coverage of ethical issues in the formal curriculum; 23% were unaware of the value of the subject. Students’ approval rate was highest in Neurology and Psychiatry (70%). The study confirmed inadequate formal instruction on medical ethics in a developing country. Five recommendations are made. At admission, students’ integrity and character should be assessed. Bioethics should be taught in clinical settings. In the Islamic world, medical curricula should include the Islamic code of medical ethics. Peers, nurses and patients should evaluate graduates’ performance in ethics at the bedside. Evidence-based assessment and continuous quality improvement are required to maintain the requisite standard.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Khalid Umran Al-Umran

Prof. KHALID UMRAN AL-UMRAN, MD, Arab Board, FRCPCH (UK), Professor in Pediatrics & Vice Dean, Clinical Affairs, King Faisal University, College of Medicine, KSA.

Basil Abdulrahman Al-Shaikh

Dr. BASIL ABDULRAHMAN AL-SHAIKH, PhD (Sheffield University, UK), Professor in Physiology and Dean, College of Medical Laboratory Technology, King Faisal University, College of Medicine, KSA.

Bassam Hassan Al-Awary

Dr. BASSAM HASSAN AL-AWARY, MD, KFU Fellowship (KSA), Assistant Professor in Pediatrics and Vice Dean Hospital Affairs, King Faisal University, College of Medicine, KSA.

Abdullah Mohammed Al-Rubaish

Dr. ABDULLAH MOHAMMED AL-RUBAISH, MD, Arab Board, Associate Professor in Internal Medicine and Dean, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, College of Medicine, KSA.

Fahd Abdulaziz Al-Muhanna

Prof. FAHD ABDULAZIZ AL-MUHANNA, MD, Arab Board, KFU Fellowship (KSA), Professor in Internal Medicine, King Faisal University, College of Medicine, KSA.