Background: A medical professional should have knowledge of social, ethical, and humanitarian principles that influence health care. However, the erosion of professional values adversely influences the development of attitudes of medical students.
Objective: To study the level of awareness of social responsibility among fresh medical students and indirectly motivate them toward socially oriented profession by self-assessment.
Materials and Methods: A single-group, cross-sectional observational study was done in a medical college in south India after approval by institutional ethics committee; 248 pre- and paraclinical level medical students were enrolled and 237 participated. A descriptive questionnaire addressing the students communication attitude, view on drug abuse, competence to face real life situations, and attitude toward social responsibility and research was issued to them. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS 17 summary statistics.
Result: Among the participants, 69.6% possessed desirable communication attitude; 11.8% of students have experienced IV drug abuse; 75.9% were confident to face real life situations; 62% of students showed desirable social attitudes and responsibility; 38.4% expressed self-centredness; 70.9% were interested in research; and 84.8% of students expected guidance by teacher. Questions that were not answered were taken as invalid response.
Conclusion: Communication attitude needs improvement by training. Current student behavior needs better relationship among student, parent, and teacher. Facing real life situations is expected to improve in forthcoming years of study. Minor group of students need to learn and apply desirable social behavior. Students role in research can be nurtured by teachers
motivation and guidance.
Key words: Communication attitude, drug abuse, social attitude, medical students
|
