Integrating Ethics into Paediatric Curriculum

The purpose of the study was to integrate the teaching of ethics and professionalism into paediatric bedside teaching by paediatric faculty in a medical college.

Eight-four students were trained in ethics and professionalism using handouts, small group discussion, power-point presentations, case discussion and student interview with patient and role playing. These were used during student and faculty interaction with patient in bedside case presentation sessions. Evaluation was done by standardised patients (SPs) and written tests.

Trained students were able to name and address the ethical issues (P<0.001), obtain informed consent in the right manner and use better communication skills. The students in control group were not clear in ethical principles, informed consent and did not feel the need to communicate the diagnosis and management to the patient. The trained group felt that the training of ethics was practical, not didactic and learnt from the interaction between patient and themselves. They learnt to cope with rude or disagreeable patient and understood the nuances in the overall management of patient. SPs provided value and had a positive impact in training and assessment of ethics and professionalism. The medical students were receptive to ethics taught in bedside clinics.

It is feasible to integrate teaching of ethics and professionalism in bedside classes in paediatrics.