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Ethics and Professionalism Education in a Health Science Center: Assessment Findings from a Mixed Methods Student Survey

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Abstract

Background

Prior to initiating interprofessional ethics education, assessment of current student learning of ethics content within their professional schools is essential. Few studies have included direct measures of student learning on ethics and professionalism. This article reports findings from a mixed methods student survey conducted at a comprehensive health science center.

Purpose

The purpose of the survey was to explore student self-perception with regard to their knowledge of health professional ethics as well as their ability to analyze self-reported encounters with ethical dilemmas.

Methodology

The survey spanned six health professional schools: a dental school, a graduate school, a medical school, a nursing school, a school of biomedical informatics, and a school of public health. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA with Tukey HSD post hoc. Qualitative data were analyzed with a rubric and then qualitative content analysis was conducted to determine common themes.

Results and Conclusions

The findings indicate a need for the continued teaching of ethics and professionalism curricula to health professional students in all schools of this health science center, and qualitative results indicate future topics to be pursued in interprofessional teaching and learning.

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Correspondence to Cathy Rozmus DSN, RN.

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Rozmus, C., Carlin, N. Ethics and Professionalism Education in a Health Science Center: Assessment Findings from a Mixed Methods Student Survey. Med.Sci.Educ. 23 (Suppl 3), 502–512 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03341673

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