Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026
10:26
Problem-Solving Before Instruction (PS-I): A Protocol for Assessment and Intervention in Students with Different Abilities
Published on: September 11, 2021
Conscientious objection in medical students: a questionnaire survey
1King George Hospital, Barking, Hevering and Redbridge University Hospitals, Essex, UK. sophiestrickland@doctors.net.uk
Journal of Medical Ethics
|July 20, 2011
Summary
Nearly half of UK medical students support doctors conscientiously objecting to procedures. Muslim students show a higher demand for conscientious objection rights, highlighting ethical considerations in medical education.
Area of Science:
- Medical Ethics
- Medical Education
Background:
- Conscientious objection is a complex ethical issue in healthcare.
- Understanding medical students' views is crucial for future healthcare provision.
- Abortion remains a contentious topic influencing ethical debates among future physicians.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the attitudes of UK medical students towards conscientious objection.
- To identify potential disparities in these views among different student demographics.
Main Methods:
- An anonymous online questionnaire was distributed to medical students across four UK universities.
- A total of 733 medical students completed the nine-question survey.
- Data were collected via an online survey company.
Main Results:
- Approximately 50% of surveyed medical students believe doctors should have the right to conscientiously object to any procedure.
- Muslim medical students expressed a greater demand for the right to conscientious objection compared to other religious groups.
- Attitudes towards conscientious objection vary within the UK medical student population.
Conclusions:
- Conscientious objection is a relevant ethical issue for current UK medical students.
- The findings suggest potential future challenges in abortion services due to student attitudes.
- Enhanced guidance on conscientious objection is necessary for medical students during their training.
Related Concept Videos
01:08Obedience
According to obedience research, we may harm others under the forceful pressures of an authority figure (Milgram, 1974). How about if the inappropriate orders were delivered with less force? The increasing interdependence between nurses and physicians compelled Hofling and his colleagues to explore nurses’ reactions to a potentially harmful medical request made by the perceived authority figure, the doctor (Hofling, Brotzman, Dalrymple, Graves, & Pierce, 1966). In this situation, obedience...
02:16Surveys
Often, psychologists develop surveys as a means of gathering data. Surveys are lists of questions to be answered by research participants, and can be delivered as paper-and-pencil questionnaires, administered electronically, or conducted verbally. Generally, the survey itself can be completed in a short time, and the ease of administering a survey makes it easy to collect data from a large number of people.
01:28Survey Safety
Surveying near highways, rough terrain, or power lines involves significant risks. Working along highways is particularly dangerous and requires the use of warning signs and flagmen. It is safest to avoid working directly on roads and use offsets whenever possible. When highway work is unavoidable, it must follow all safety guidelines. Surveyors should wear bright clothing, such as orange reflective vests, to ensure visibility to motorists, coworkers, and hunters. In construction zones, wearing...
01:27Ethical Issues
Nurses are essential in patient care, upholding the ethical principles of their profession and effectively navigating ethical dilemmas. Neglecting ethical issues can lead to inadequate patient care, compromised therapeutic relationships, and moral distress among healthcare workers.
Ethical Concerns in Healthcare:
Ethical Concerns in Healthcare:
01:29Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System II: Health Perception Pattern
Assessing the gastrointestinal (GI) system is a complex process that begins with collecting subjective data. This data, collected through patient interviews, provides crucial insights into the patient's health history, perception patterns, and lifestyle habits, all contributing significantly to GI health.
Health Perception Patterns
Health perception patterns offer valuable insights into a patient's lifestyle habits and how they may impact their GI health. These patterns include:
Health Perception Patterns
Health perception patterns offer valuable insights into a patient's lifestyle habits and how they may impact their GI health. These patterns include:
01:20Conformity
Conformity is the change in a person’s behavior to go along with the group, even if that person does not agree with the group.