Revision in the Methods of Teaching Professional Ethics to Medical Students Based on the Rest Model

Abstract

James Rest, a famous moral theorist, considers the ability of moral decision making and moral behavior dependent on having four characteristics; moral sensitivity, moral judgment, moral motivation and moral character. Today, professional ethics training in most educational centers of the country is based on lectures by professors. This type of training is helpful to some extent in moral judgments due to the introduction of the principles of professional ethics. But it will not lead to the improvement of moral sensitivity, moral motivation and moral character by itself. Nowadays, modern methods are used to teach professional ethics, which enhance the moral attitude and clinical behavior of learners. Holding focused group discussion meetings, holding ethical grand rounds, teaching with a problem-oriented approach, using comics or graphic stories, creating research opportunities, simulation and role playing are examples of these methods. Using these methods medical ethics instructors in the universities of our country will take serious steps in improving moral sensitivity, moral judgment and finally institutionalizing professional behavior among medical students. © 2023 Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.