Perspectives of Medical Students in the Selected Military University of Tehran about the Characteristics of Student Ethics: Content Analysis

Imam Khomeini says that every step that a student takes to acquire knowledge must also take a step to acquire moral virtues. The purpose of this study was to explain the concept of student ethics from the perspective of medical students. Student ethics is one of the most important professional dimensions in the field of medical sciences. Findings of related studies show that despite the importance of this issue, there are many problems in defining and explaining the dimensions of this concept. This study was conducted to explain the indicators of student ethics based on the experiences of medical students.

In this qualitative study, 43 students from 4 faculties (medicine, nursing, pharmacy and hygiene) of the selected military university of medical sciences were interviewed semi-structured. Purposeful sampling was performed with maximum diversity in the research. Semi-structured individual interviews were used to achieve data saturation. Exploration questions were used to deepen the interviews and extract experiences. The interviews were handwritten line by line and analyzed according to the qualitative content analysis approach. Oral consent was obtained to participate in the study and recording of the sound.

Student commitment, professional skills and revolutionary idealism were the main themes extracted in this research. Participants described the concept of student ethics as having revolutionary and socialist behaviors on campus, and that community-unfavorable behavior was contrary to student ethics. Participants described the university environment as a society in which respectful behavior of students should take place, because the influence of the behavior of professors and students is very effective in shaping the personality of students.

Findings of this research can be used in the development and promotion of medical education programs and continuing education. Paying attention to these indicators in the development of student ethics can lead to a correct understanding of the student's duties in order to provide better quality treatment and care, prevent mistakes and be effective in ensuring the rights of students, professors and clients.