Developing a module of medical ethics for post mbbs

Introduction:Medical ethics is a system of moral principles that affect values and judgments to the practice of medical profession. A number of characteristics are associated with medical ethics such as autonomy, confidentiality, nonmaleficence, beneficence, honesty, justice, and dignity. Medical professionals’ decisions are based not only on clinical and technical grounds but also on ethical grounds. Doctors are expected to be professionally sound with all required competencies. Now days with the change in complexities in health care delivery, the doctors are now encountering an increased number of litigations against them most of which are related to ethical issues.

Aim and Objectives:Imparting training to fresh medical graduate in these soft- skills is the need of the hour, for which to prepare a module of medical ethics for post MBBS.

Methodology:The project was carried at SGRRIM & HS, Dehradun. A core committee and involved faculty members were trained for curriculum designing. Assessment of topics was done by preparing feedback form, peer validated, ascertained by conducting a round of Delphi on medical graduates (Alumnae, Private professionals and government doctors). After getting feedback, training curriculum/module was formed, based on MCI 2002 code of Medical Ethics and problems faced by doctors. The prepared module was peer validated by experts. Feedback questionnaire for evaluation of pilot run and module delivery was prepared and peer validated for content and face validity. As a pilot run, the module was delivered to 45 interns of the college in the form of 2 days workshop. Feedback after module delivery was taken. After feedback, the necessary changes in the module were carried out and formulated a structured and standardized module ofmedical ethics for post MBBS.

Findings:A total of 15 faculty members, including 9 core committee members participated in the training on curriculum development and 203 alumni completed the round of Delphi. After peer review by experts, a module of 15 broad areas was developed and was pilot run on 45 interns. Based on the feedback from pilot run, a standardized, validated 12 h module of medical ethics for post MBB S for patient care was developed.

Conclusion:Pilot study proves that curriculum innovation in the form of medical ethics training to Medical graduate; when as they actively participate in patient care will go a long way in inculcating soft skills like ethics, empathy and communication in them.