On the Path to Becoming a Physician: A Study on Medical Students' Professional Values and Attitudes

INTRODUCTION: In this study, medical school students' attitudes toward the profession of medicine, their perceptions of the values of medicine, and the relationship between these concepts were evaluated.
METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at xxx University Faculty of Medicine. Participants were asked to answer the sociodemographic data form, the medical profession attitude scale, and the medical profession value perception scale.
RESULTS: 567 medical students (79.52% of all students) participated in this study. Of the participants, 58.9% were preclinical and 41.1% were clinical phase students. The mean scores of the medical profession attitude scale and the medical profession value perception scale were statistically significantly higher for those who preferred medical school willingly (p<0.001, p=0.004). The scores of the medical profession attitude scale and medical profession value perception scale decreased statistically significantly with increasing grade levels in clinical phase medical students (p<0.001, p<0.001). Statistically significant positive correlation found between the scores of the medical profession attitude scale and the scores of the value perception scale (p<0.001).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: As a result of this study, positive attitudes towards the medical profession and high perceptions of medical values were higher among those who chose the medical profession willingly. It was found that positive attitudes and value perceptions towards the medical profession decrease as students transition from the preclinical to the clinical phase. The educational processes that lead to changes in attitudes and values during medical education should be reconsidered. The sources of motivation regarding the sustainability of medical education should be evaluated.