Moral judgement development during medical student clinical training

• DOI: 10.1186/s12909-021-02572-4
• Publication Date: 2021-03-02T13:04:15Z
• Authors: Jenny McDonald; Jane Graves; Neeshaan Abrahams; Ryan Thorneycroft; Iman Hegazi
• Keywords: Judgement; Thematic Analysis; Graduation (instrument)

Abstract Background Whereas experience and cognitive maturity drives moral judgement development in most young adults, medical students show slowing, regression, or segmentation during their clinical years of training. The aim this study was to explore the Methods A cross-sectional sample from three training were interviewed groups individually at an Australian school 2018. Thematic analysis identified themes which then mapped against stages dimensions Self-authorship Theory. Results Thirty five 3–5 participated 11 interviews 6 focus groups. Students shared impacts experiences as they with seniors increasingly understood context. Their accounts revealed early confusion followed by defensiveness characterised desensitization justification. As approached graduation, some planning how would make choices future practice. These self-authorship: External Formulas, Crossroads Self-authorship. Conclusions Medical recognise, reconcile understand decisions within settings successfully reach approach self-authorship. Curriculum support should match progress.