Perceptions about the teaching of ethics in medicine: a qualitative study

Abstract This study sought to identify the perceptions of medical students regarding the teaching of ethics in undergraduate courses. It is a qualitative approach research which interviewed 24 public university students. Thematic categorical analysis was carried out, preserving the anonymity of the information by the use of alphanumeric codes. Two categories of analysis were highlighted. The first describes perceptions regarding ethics teaching, showing that it is necessary to reflect on the complexity of the teaching-learning process. There are perceptions of devalued education, dissociated from the practice and highlighting the need for the qualification of educators. The second category presents suggestions for the teaching of ethics, among them, to deepen and demand the humanities content throughout the course. To qualify the teaching of ethics, it is necessary to provide interactive and participative moments, between educators and students, that favor the knowledge and comprehensiveness of the problems identified. Thus, the teaching-learning process leads to the improvement of the individual, by contributing to improve the ethical dimension required for health professionals.