Abstract

Introduction: The medical staff’s inappropriate behavior with patients and ignoring the medical ethics and patients’ rights provides brings about the complains made against the medical staff. The key to success is the relationship between patients and doctors. Methods: The present study is a descriptive one. The data collection tool was a two-part researcher-made questionnaire. The first part includes the demographic characteristics and the second part contains 20 questions on the awareness of medical ethics principles. The questions were prepared after studying the related texts on the principles of medical ethics and using the ideas of experts of medical ethics. Findings: The awareness score of medical ethics principles was 43.9 from the maximum 20. In the present study, the awareness was at an average level based on the criteria mentioned in the research tool. Discussion and conclusion: Given the findings of the present study and the awareness level of medical ethics principles, it is essential to review “professional ethics” course for medical students so that the concepts will be more practical. With respect to ethical issues, an average level of awareness and performance is not desirable and attempts must be made toward promoting and reaching it to the desirable level intended. © 2017, Pharmainfo Publications. All rights reserved.