Medical ethics education in the eighties: a study of five medical schools

Five Southern California medical schools were examined using a case study approach. In-depth interviews were conducted with faculty members and administrators from Loma Linda University, the University of Southern California, and the University of California at Irvine, Los Angeles, and San Diego, Schools of Medicine. Using an interview instrument based on a needs assessment model, the interviewer examined interviewees' perspectives on the current curriculum and their opinions on the 'ideal' medical ethics curriculum. Key issues of concern for each medical school's medical ethics curricula were discussed.