Knowledge and perception of second year medical students on teaching-learning of bioethics in an Indian Medical School of rural set up

Bioethics has recently gained importance in the developing world. Bioethics teaching has been made mandatory in the undergraduate curriculum by the regulatory body of medical education, the Medical Council of India (MCI). Bioethics education aims to help medical students understand moral principles, analyse and defining their own values.

To assess the students’ knowledge and perception on teaching-learning of bioethics and to identify the learning need of it.

A questionnaire based study was conducted on second year medical students after approval from Human Research Ethics Committee. Bioethics principle was taught by didactic teaching in 1.5 hours. of class. Students have been given case scenario in three group consisting 10-12 students in each group to identify the principles of bioethics in each case. After 1 week group activity was presented by the students in the form of role play, debate and poster making. Questionnaire contained fourteen items. Data were analysed from a qualitative as well as quantitative perspective and have concentrated on comments and suggestions made by the students.

Totally, 70 students participated in the study. Majority of the students knew the definition, principles of bioethics and its importance. They strongly perceived that bioethics teaching learning helps in integration in future practice. The qualitative aspects of the study clearly demonstrated that the in-depth learning of medical ethics with the technological audio visual aids and in form of various teaching learning tools would help to develop their skills of decision-making and make them competent medical professionals to meet with future challenges in the areas of medical care.

There is a need to develop a uniform module of curriculum and its modes of training which can help the medical students to become an ethical and rational medical professional.