Attitudes of Medical Students Toward Congenital Anomalies and Prenatal Diagnosis: Implications for Education in Medical Ethics
- VernacularTitle:医系学生の先天異常・出生前診断に対する意識調査：医学倫理教育への示唆
- Author:
Tomomi KATO
;
Yasuyuki SUZUKI
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
medical ethics;
congenital anomaly;
prenatal diagnosis
- From:Medical Education
2005;36(1):39-43
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
-
Abstract:
Attitudes of medical and co-medical students toward congenital anomalies and prenatal diagnosis were investigated. After problem-based learning in medical genetics and embryology, students were shown a short film of a fetus with spina bifida. The students were then asked by questionnaire to answer the following question: “If you were told at 20 weeks' gestation that your fetus had spina bifida, what would you do?” About one third of the female medical students and half of the male students said they would terminate the pregnancy. The students' written comments suggested that female students are more receptive to delivery and to handicapped children. In contrast, male students' attitudes were more passive. Responses of female public health nursing students were similar to those of female medical students, and those of student midwives were much more receptive. These results will provide a basis for education in medical genetics and medical ethics.
