Evolution of Universal Human Values Among Medical Students in India-A Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Social Sciences
• Psychology

Background:

• Higher education in medical fields aims to instill values like compassion and empathy.
• A research gap exists in understanding how medical students in India develop and maintain moral values during their training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the moral values of medical students in India.
• To identify factors influencing the ethical priorities of future healthcare professionals.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey using a Google questionnaire was administered to 526 medical students in India.
• Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, factor analysis (Principal Component Analysis), correlation, and multiple regression.
• Content validity was ensured by 5 experts, and reliability was confirmed with Cronbach's alpha of 0.927.

Main Results:

• Principal component analysis revealed three factors: Authority and Materialism, Enjoyment and Adventure, and Ethics and altruism.
• Authority and Materialism significantly impacted Ethics and altruism (p < .001), while Enjoyment and Adventure did not.
• Women scored higher than men in Ethics and altruism.

Conclusions:

• Medical students prioritize ethics and altruism, but competitive and materialistic values exert a significant influence.
• Understanding the interplay of values is crucial for educators and policymakers to promote ethical practices and student well-being.
• Gender differences in ethical priorities warrant further investigation within the context of medical education.