Comparison of Adherence to Professional Ethics Principles  Among Operating Room Students and Personnel

Davood  Rasouli; Elham  Ramezanpour; Sohrab  Nosrati; Akram  Zhianifard; Zahra Nouri  Khaneghah

doi:10.18502/ijme.v18i22.21007

Davood Rasouli Ph.D. of Medical Education, Center for Educational Research in Medical Sciences (CERMS), Department of Medical Education, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Elham Ramezanpour Ph.D. of Medical Education, Department of Operating Room, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences ,Sari, Iran.
Sohrab Nosrati Ph.D. of Medical Education, Center for Educational Research in Medical Sciences (CERMS), Department of Medical Education, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Akram Zhianifard Ph.D. student of Medical Education, Center for Educational Research in Medical Sciences (CERMS), Department of Medical Education, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Zahra Nouri Khaneghah Ph.D. of Medical Education, Center for Educational Research in Medical Sciences (CERMS), Department of Medical Education, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijme.v18i22.21007

Keywords: Professional ethics, Medical ethics, Bioethics, Operating room.

Abstract

Professional ethics, as a critical aspect of medical ethics, holds significant importance in healthcare professions that directly involve human lives. Accordingly, this study aimed to compare adherence to professional ethics principles among operating room (OR) students and staff in selected teaching hospitals affiliated with Iran University of Medical Sciences during 2021–2022. This cross-sectional descriptive study included 200 OR staff from six hospitals (selected via stratified quota sampling) and 60 OR students (recruited via convenience sampling). Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and Kadushin’s Professional Ethics Questionnaire (2002) and analyzed in SPSS-24 using descriptive statistics (median and interquartile range) and inferential tests (Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests). Results indicated strong professional ethics in 98.4% of students and 75% of staff. Students scored significantly higher in loyalty and accountability (median score, P < 0.0001), while staff outperformed in honesty (median score, P = 0.003). No significant differences were observed in other dimensions. Overall, both groups demonstrated favorable professional ethics. These findings can guide educational interventions and developmental programs to further enhance professional ethics in these populations