. Jannat Mashayekhi; . Mahboobeh Khabaz Mafinejad; . Tahereh Changiz; . Hamideh Moosapour; . Pooneh Salari; . Saharnaz Nedjat; . Bagher Larijani
Volume 11, Issue 2 , February 2021, , Pages 1-9
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Adherence to medical ethics principles by medical professionals is required toimprove health‑care system’s quality. Recognizing medical ethics’ challenges ...
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BACKGROUND: Adherence to medical ethics principles by medical professionals is required toimprove health‑care system’s quality. Recognizing medical ethics’ challenges and attempting toresolve them are important in the implementation of medical ethics in practice. This study aimed toexplore such challenges at Iran’s medical sciences universities in 2018.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive, qualitative study utilized a conventional contentanalysis approach for data analysis. This study was conducted using purposeful sampling fromparticipants with experience in teaching or practicing of medical ethics field, and by consideringmaximum variety of disciplines (e.g., gynecology, internal medicine, surgery, and medical ethics). Thedata were gathered using semi‑structured interviews. The interview guide was designed based onprevious research findings by two members of the research team and contained the main interviewquestions and participants had the opportunity to express their perspectives in detail. Participantswere chosen from clinical and ethical faculty members as well as managers. The data collectionprocess continued until the data saturation stage, beyond which no new information or conceptachieved by continuing interviews.RESULTS: After interviewing 14 faculty members and managers, findings were classified into 4themes, 9 categories, and 42 sub‑categories; four main categories of medical ethics challenges areaffected by cognitive, educational, practical, and structural factors, respectively.CONCLUSION: This study suggested that medical ethics’ cognitive and educational challenges canalleviate using educational programs intended for improving qualitative and quantitative aspects ofmedical ethics teaching for medical professionals ranging from students to faculty members. Medicalethics’ structural and practical challenges are within policymaking and scheduling activities dealt withthrough future researches by health‑care system’s managers and planners.