Attitudes, virtue and ethical abilities of 3 year medical students of Thammasat uni versity in Holistic Health Care 2 (MD351) subject

Abstract

        Virtue and ethics are important to everyone in all professions. Good teaching and learning management should develop to parallel the academic, virtue and ethical aspects of one’s profession. This academic paper aimed to study attitudes, virtue and ethical abilities based on the attendance in the Holistic Health Care 2 subject (MD351) of third-year medical students. The author researched and constructed a comprised 12 items, using a five-level scale for the third-year medical students in the academic year 2013 to which they would voluntarily respond. Out of 172 medical students 133 (77.3%) students responded. Most respondents were female (53.3%) age range from 19 to 24 years. The average scores were sorted in the following descending order: honesty (4.6), honor/respect for others (4.4), responsibility (4.3), time punctuality (4.2), proper attire (4.2), consideration for others (4.2), generosity (4.1), patience and good will (3.9), sacrifice (3.7), speaking politely with friends (3.5) and avoiding gossip (3.5). The average overall score was 4. In conclusion; the attitudes, virtue and ethical abilities of the third-year medical students were at good to very-good levels, but there were some issues of which average scores were lower than the good level. These issues may arise from the fact that the medical students characters may be influenced by other numerous factors. The Holistic Health Care 2 subject, could offers discipline and self-development for medical students.