Abstract:
This was a hospital based cross sectional descriptive study. A structured self administered
questionnaire was developed and pre-tested to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes and
practice of medical ethics among medical officers in three teaching hospitals in the Kandy
district (n=313). Cross -analysis of selected factors and the level of knowlecge were
performed to determine the association. Independent t-test and ANOVA were used
tocompare mean scores on knowledge between categories. A probability value of 0.05 was
considered as significant. The vast majority ( 91 percent) agreed that the undergraduate
curriculum on medical ethics is not adequate and 95.3 percent of doctors justify that the inservice training on medical ethics is not adequate and 95.3 percent of doctors justify that
the inservice training on medical ethics as a necessity. The vast majority of medical officers
( 81.2 percent) in three hospitals had a poor level of knowledge on medical ethics.
Postgraduate trainees had comparatively a good level of knowledge than other medical
officers. A mojority of medical officers had favourable attitudes towards the basic principles
of beneficence and nonmaleficence. Most of the doctors frequently practiced ethically.
There was no statistically significant association between level of knowledge on medical
ethicas and field of work or work experience. Guidelines on ethical conduct developed by
the SLMC for medical practitioners should be given and taught during the undergraduate
period. In-service training programmes focused on personal professional development
should be organized to improve the knowledge, attitudes and practice of medical ethics.
