Analysis of ethical values among medical students at Anahuac University, Mexico

Abstract

Introduction: Training medical students on ethical values is essential to schools of medicine, therefore knowing their preferences about them is important.
Objective: Investigate the preference and hierarchy of values, of medical students and compare it with similar studies.

Method: Exploratory descriptive, transversal, research using quantitative and qualitative design, on medical students at Anahuac University, Mexico, using a validated instrument.

Results: 567 questionnaires suitable for analysis out of 692 obtained were used. 407 women (58.8%) and 285 men (41.2%); mean age 20.8 years. The distribution per semester were as follows: 19.4% first, second 16.5%, 10.7% third, fourth 19%, 11.7% fifth, sixth 11.1%, seventh and eighth 9% 8.8%. Of the proposed values, respect ranked first (66.5%) and in descending order, honesty (65.8%), family (63.85%) and responsibility (52.9%). Life was selected by 27.3% with variable importance assigned and dignity by 39.5% of the students. With exception of
religion as a value, the ANOVA test showed no change as they progressed in the career and Chi square of Pearson between first and eighth semester contrasting each value, revealed no statistical differences in almost all of the values among respondents, suggesting that education made no difference between the values between first and eight semester, although the qualitative part of the study showed that the majority of the students appreciate as important the education in values received.

Conclusions: Training in ethical values is essential for future doctors, it is important to investigate the axiological preferences among medical students to guide them and to plan effective strategies to act ethically respecting the dignity of their patients.