Evaluation of Medical Students' Views of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences on Prioritizing Ethical Considerations in Research and Treatment Activities

Abstract

Background: Adhering to ethical principles in research and treatment activities is one of the fundamental pillars of the medical profession. However, medical students' practical prioritization of these principles compared to other influential factors requires further investigation. This study aimed to evaluate medical students' priorities regarding considerations in the research and treatment process. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 on 384 medical students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in basic sciences, internship, and training courses using stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire with confirmed reliability (Cronbach's alpha 0.92) and validity. The questionnaire consisted of five domains (four research domains: topic selection, method selection, implementation, publication; and one therapeutic domain). Participants assigned a score of 1 to 10 to each statement based on their priority. Findings: Based on the mean scores, the priority of ethical statements was as follows: providing medical services (0.39 ± 1.5), publishing the article (0.76 ± 2.16), implementing the plan (0.90 ± 3.5), choosing the methodology (0.92 ± 3.66), and choosing the research topic (1.81 ± 7). Conclusion: The findings indicate a gap between commitment to ethics in the medical environment and commitment to it in the research process, especially in the early stages. This indicates the need to review, integrate, and strengthen applied research ethics education during the general medical course. © 2026, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.