Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Medical Ethics and History of Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Department of Medical Ethics, School of Medicine, University of Medical Sciences
2 Medical Ethics and History of Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences
3 Department of Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences
4 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Knowledge Utilization Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences
5 Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Despite all efforts that have been made to promote professional behavior among
medical trainees, unfortunately, reports from medical schools around the world confirm the prevalence
of nonprofessional behaviors by medical students. Experts in the field of medical ethics and medical
education in different countries have suggested several reasons for failing to minimize unprofessional
performance among medical students.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This qualitative study aimed to promote our understanding from the
challenges faced by Iranian medical students in providing professional behavior. The study was first
conducted in the form of a semi‑structured face‑to‑face interview with medical students and then
completed with a focus group discussion (FGD) session. Forty‑nine medical students participated
in the interviews and 11 students participated in the FGD session. Qualitative conventional content
analysis was used for examining the data.
RESULTS: The participants classified the obstacles of professional behavior into the following
three main categories: problems related to educational system, problems related to the society, and
problems related to students themselves.
CONCLUSION: Regarding the impact of various personal, social, and educational factors on the
creation and expansion of unprofessional behaviors among medical students, it is essential to have
a comprehensive approach for solving the problem.
Keywords
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