ovdje - Hrvatsko filozofsko društvo

Material and Methods: In this cross-section study, two samples of students
were questioned on selected bioethical issues: a self-completed questionnaire
was delivered to 95 out of 493 students of the 3rd year (19%),
and 79 out of 510 students of the 6th year (15%). Total response rate was
83%.
Results: In both groups, less than 25% participants answered correctly
to questions on major bioethical issues and basic principles of
biomedical ethics. Both groups generally did not want to participate as
volunteers in clinical trials, without significant differences in evaluating
of possible motives for the participation. Majority of students thought
that medical problems of Roma population should be solved as problems
of any other population. Third year students were less willing to
work in unhygienic Roma settlements and thought that medical staff
working there should be selectively vaccinated. Attitudes of students to
validity of clinical trials involving children were similar. Both groups,
but especially the younger one, emphasized the importance of obtaining
both child’s and parents’ consent before the trial. Regarding testing of
new medicines in elderly with dementia, majority of subjects thought
that informed consent should be similar to the consent for any other
population.
Conclusion: It is necessary to increase the interest in bioethics in
medical students, and to improve bioethical education regarding problems
of vulnerable groups.
135