Attitudes and hierarchy of medical values in a gynecology and obstetrics department

• Published in: Ginecologia y obstetricia de Mexico Vol. 72; pp. 273 - 278
• Main Authors: Villanueva, Luis Alberto, Collado Peña, Susana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Mexico 01.06.2004
• Subjects: Attitude of Health Personnel; Ethics, Clinical; Gynecology - education; Gynecology - trends; Humans; Mexico; Obstetrics - education; Obstetrics - trends; Surveys and Questionnaires; Mexico
• ISSN: 0300-9041

The current practice of medicine is suffering a deep crisis of values due to the process of super-specialization, marketing tendencies, growing and the practice of a defensive medicine. To examine the attitudes and hierarchy of medical values in undergraduate students, residents and faculty physicians in an obstetrics and gynecology department. A descriptive, open, observational and transversal study was done, in which a questionnaire including a demographic data-record and 22 questions related to values and attitudes was applied to 29 individuals belonging to the medical staff of the gynecology and obstetrics service at Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea Gonzalez. Medical knowledge, honesty and respect were consistently mentioned as the most emphasized characteristics across the examination. Benevolence and compassion were frequently indicated in undergraduate students, but not in third year residents and specialists. Respect for the right of individual patients to make their own choices about their health care, in some doctors, is a problematic issue. The teaching of professionalism is important in residency training and is expected to be an equal partner in the triad of knowledge, skills and values.