Table 3 Virtues Relevant in the Professional or Ethical Issues Encountered During Clinical Training: Coded Themes from a National Survey of U.S. Fourth Year Medical Students (N = 144)
Major Coded Themes | Examples of Students’ Responses | Count N (%) |
|---|---|---|
Wisdom | “Dealing with a patient who had a history of drug-seeking behavior … I think it is important to initially take them at their word, but remain vigilant so as not to be taken advantage of.” | 34 (23.6) |
Respectfulness | “[O]bserved a physician being abrasive towards a [patient] to persuade them not to have a procedure.” | 29 (20.1) |
Compassion or empathy | “Residents speaking to patients rudely, increased volume. I thought the resident should be more compassionate.” | 20 (13.9) |
Uprightness | “[T]he attending had us sign in under her name. We would write her notes to place her orders…” | 16 (11.1) |
Honesty | “A senior resident blatantly lied on rounds about a patient…” | 15 (10.4) |
Conscience | “I have seen many residents cut corners which compromised patient care. Many of these situations were when a resident didn’t know what to do and rather than ask or read, made an un-informed poor decision.” | 14 (9.7) |
Honor or integrity | “…[My OB/GYN] attending was very involved in the business aspect of his practice…Despite new recommendations on PAP smears, he continued to do them on women who probably did not need them…if patients asked why they needed them, he would avoid their questions…” | 12 (8.3) |
Regard as human being | “Hospital’s treatment of gunshot wound of a gang member vs an officer: huge, startling discrepancy.” | 11 (7.6) |
Patience | “I worked with one resident who was rude and completely ignored a patient’s feelings. He started his H&P firing off questions without waiting for responses and cutting her off…” | 8 (5.6) |
Humility | “I once saw a doctor yelling at a critical care nurse because she was trying to clarify an order for a patient…” | 6 (4.2) |
Charity | “The family wanted the neurosurgery team to speak with them…before withdrawing life support. The neurosurgery team refused to speak with family stating “there is nothing more they are able to relay to the family or do for the patient.” | 6 (4.2) |
Self-reflection | “We all have biases, and I think it’s important that we engage in discussion on what they are. This is especially important for physicians to be aware of…” | 4 (2.8) |
Courage | “The issue of a medical student not being able to stick up for herself/himself because they are worried about how they will be graded is an issue…” | 3 (2.1) |
Altruism | “Turning away a [patient] based on ability to pay…” | 2 (1.4) |
Forgiving | [no codes identified] | 0 |
Gratitude | [no codes identified] | 0 |
Total | 180a | |