Evaluation of moral intelligence of trainees and medical interns of Kashan University of medical sciences in 2021

Moral intelligence has a direct effect on the professional performance of individuals, desirable health services and reduction of medical costs. This study was aimed to evaluate the moral intelligence of trainees and medical interns of Kashan University of medical sciences in 2021.

This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in 2021 on clinical students. Sampling was done by stratified random sampling among medical trainees and interns. A total of 209 people participated in the study. The data collection tool was Lenick and Kiel Moral Intelligence Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS software.

The results of this study showed that the mean score of students' moral intelligence was 71.75. 9.15 (good). In examining the dimensions of moral intelligence, honesty with a score of 73.15±10.44 has the highest score and forgiveness with a score of 10.92±68.06 has the lowest score. The difference in the mean score of moral intelligence in the dimension of responsibility was significant (P=0.03). Moral intelligence and all its dimensions except empathy were lower in dormitory students than in students living in a private home with family.

Considering the level of moral intelligence score of medical students in clinical courses, there is a need to revise the ethical guidelines for the development of moral intelligence.