Explanatory Study of Medical Students’ Perception of Life Concept

Abstract

This study surveyed 506 medical students on their perception of life concept using an open-ended questionnaire. A constant comparative analysis of participants’ written responses was conducted. The results revealed 3 main types and several sub-types of life concept. The main types included: humanities & sociology type, scientific type, and humanities ․ sociology & science mixed type. The humanities & sociology type had 6 sub-types: religious values, ethical values, limited time, social characteristics, consciousness ․ spirit ․ soul, and mixed type. The scientific type had 4 sub-types as follows: respiration & metabolism, genetic & reproduction, homeostasis & emergent property, and mixed type. The most prevalent type was the perception that life concept, ethical values in humanities & sociology type. The understanding of the concept of life is essential to medical students’ learning and improvement of professional competence. These results may suggest a meaningful direction for medical education regarding the concept of life.

Exploring the Ontological Status of the Race Concept as Perceived by Korean Medical Students

“…In the secondary biology curriculum or in college embryology lectures, it is only necessary to learn and memorize factual information rather than critically examine the issue. However, how one defines life will determine what decisions they will make regarding euthanasia and abortion (Ju & Lee, 2013;Ko et al, 2015;Yoo, Lee, & Shin, 2017). For example, in the case of a student who the forms the opinion that a life begins from the fertilization stage where the sperm and the egg meet, even the use of the morningafter pill, a powerful estrogen preparation, would be considered as a kind of abortion and thus wrong.…”

“…However, for students who perceive that neural tube formation or post-brain development signal the beginning of an independent life form, or for those who determine that independent life begins post-partum, decisions regarding abortion will be different. Life is considered to be the most central concept of biology and medicine, but in addition to scientific interpretation, diverse concepts exist together with sociocultural notions, forming religious and legal interpretations (Choi, 2011;Federspil & Sicolo, 1994;Son, 2010;Yoo et al, 2017). Race also corresponds to this concept.…”