Effective Factors of Professional Ethical Competency in Medical Students : A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Introduction: Attaining ethical competency for medical practitioners, especially physicians, is one of the critical concerns for the education and management system. The competency related factors rely upon the context and culture physicians live and train in. Therefore, it is necessary to initially identify the factors to improve ethical competency. Objective: This qualitative research was carried out to study the effective factors of professional ethical competency in medical students through using participants' life experiences. Methodology: The research was qualitatively conducted. Research data were collected following written informed consent. 14 participants who had experience in teaching medical students were semistructurally interviewed. Data were analyzed using conventional qualitative content analysis method. Data reliability and validity were verified using Lincoln and Guba criteria. Results: Three groups were extracted in the study according to participants' experiences, including comprehensive recognition, ethical development supporting climate, and comprehensive role model training. Discussion: Directing students to know the self, profession, and culture, followed by improved social and economic communications in the organization, as well as enhancing ethics contribution in educational assessment, and emphasizing ethical models may pave the roads to the ethical competency of a physician. It is recommended that policy makers adopt a holistic view in medical instruction.