Self-Reported Attitudes and Behaviors of General Surgery Residents about Ethical Academic Practices in Test Taking

Valerie P. Grignol; Alyssa J. Gans; Branyan A. Booth; Ronald J. Markert; Paula M. Termuhlen

doi:10.1016/j.surg.2010.04.016

Self-Reported Attitudes and Behaviors of General Surgery Residents about Ethical Academic Practices in Test Taking

Valerie P. Grignol, Alyssa J. Gans, Branyan A. Booth, Ronald J. Markert, Paula M. Termuhlen

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

<p> <h4 id="x-x-x-absSec_1"> Background </h4> <p id="x-x-x-simple-para0015"> A correlation exists between people who engage in academic dishonesty as students and unethical behaviors later as professionals. Academic dishonesty has been assessed among medical students, but not among general surgery residents. We sought to describe the attitudes of general surgery residents with regard to ethical practices in test taking. <h4 id="x-x-x-absSec_2"> Methods </h4> <p id="x-x-x-simple-para0020"> A survey with 4 scenarios describing activities related to examination taking that may or may not be considered unethical was administered. Participants were asked about participation in the activities—either personally or any knowledge of others—and whether the activities were unethical. <h4 id="x-x-x-absSec_3"> Results </h4> <p id="x-x-x-simple-para0025"> Fifty-seven of 62 residents (92%) participated. For each scenario, >70% indicated that neither they nor anyone else they knew had participated in the activities. Behaviors deemed unethical included memorizing or using memorized questions to prepare for future tests (52%), selling questions for financial gain (90%), and purchasing previously used questions (57%). No difference in attitudes was seen among incoming interns, junior-level (postgraduate year [PGY]1–3), or senior-level (PGY4–6) residents. <h4 id="x-x-x-absSec_4"> Conclusion </h4> <p id="x-x-x-simple-para0030"> Overall, general surgery residents indicated that they had not participated in activities they felt to be unethical. Defining what is unethical was less clear. This represents an area for further education. </p> </p> </p> </p></p>

Original language	American English
Journal	Surgery
Volume	148
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surg.2010.04.016
State	Published - Aug 1 2010

Disciplines

Medical Specialties
Medicine and Health Sciences
Surgery

Access to Document

10.1016/j.surg.2010.04.016License: CC BY

Cite this

@article{cc486c268b2949cf86dcb64e38049ac6,

title = "Self-Reported Attitudes and Behaviors of General Surgery Residents about Ethical Academic Practices in Test Taking",

abstract = " Background A correlation exists between people who engage in academic dishonesty as students and unethical behaviors later as professionals. Academic dishonesty has been assessed among medical students, but not among general surgery residents. We sought to describe the attitudes of general surgery residents with regard to ethical practices in test taking. Methods A survey with 4 scenarios describing activities related to examination taking that may or may not be considered unethical was administered. Participants were asked about participation in the activities—either personally or any knowledge of others—and whether the activities were unethical. Results Fifty-seven of 62 residents (92%) participated. For each scenario, >70% indicated that neither they nor anyone else they knew had participated in the activities. Behaviors deemed unethical included memorizing or using memorized questions to prepare for future tests (52%), selling questions for financial gain (90%), and purchasing previously used questions (57%). No difference in attitudes was seen among incoming interns, junior-level (postgraduate year [PGY]1–3), or senior-level (PGY4–6) residents. Conclusion Overall, general surgery residents indicated that they had not participated in activities they felt to be unethical. Defining what is unethical was less clear. This represents an area for further education. ",

author = "Grignol, {Valerie P.} and Gans, {Alyssa J.} and Booth, {Branyan A.} and Markert, {Ronald J.} and Termuhlen, {Paula M.}",

year = "2010",

month = aug,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1016/j.surg.2010.04.016",

language = "American English",

volume = "148",

journal = "Surgery",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Self-Reported Attitudes and Behaviors of General Surgery Residents about Ethical Academic Practices in Test Taking

AU - Grignol, Valerie P.

AU - Gans, Alyssa J.

AU - Booth, Branyan A.

AU - Markert, Ronald J.

AU - Termuhlen, Paula M.

PY - 2010/8/1

Y1 - 2010/8/1

N2 - Background A correlation exists between people who engage in academic dishonesty as students and unethical behaviors later as professionals. Academic dishonesty has been assessed among medical students, but not among general surgery residents. We sought to describe the attitudes of general surgery residents with regard to ethical practices in test taking. Methods A survey with 4 scenarios describing activities related to examination taking that may or may not be considered unethical was administered. Participants were asked about participation in the activities—either personally or any knowledge of others—and whether the activities were unethical. Results Fifty-seven of 62 residents (92%) participated. For each scenario, >70% indicated that neither they nor anyone else they knew had participated in the activities. Behaviors deemed unethical included memorizing or using memorized questions to prepare for future tests (52%), selling questions for financial gain (90%), and purchasing previously used questions (57%). No difference in attitudes was seen among incoming interns, junior-level (postgraduate year [PGY]1–3), or senior-level (PGY4–6) residents. Conclusion Overall, general surgery residents indicated that they had not participated in activities they felt to be unethical. Defining what is unethical was less clear. This represents an area for further education.

AB - Background A correlation exists between people who engage in academic dishonesty as students and unethical behaviors later as professionals. Academic dishonesty has been assessed among medical students, but not among general surgery residents. We sought to describe the attitudes of general surgery residents with regard to ethical practices in test taking. Methods A survey with 4 scenarios describing activities related to examination taking that may or may not be considered unethical was administered. Participants were asked about participation in the activities—either personally or any knowledge of others—and whether the activities were unethical. Results Fifty-seven of 62 residents (92%) participated. For each scenario, >70% indicated that neither they nor anyone else they knew had participated in the activities. Behaviors deemed unethical included memorizing or using memorized questions to prepare for future tests (52%), selling questions for financial gain (90%), and purchasing previously used questions (57%). No difference in attitudes was seen among incoming interns, junior-level (postgraduate year [PGY]1–3), or senior-level (PGY4–6) residents. Conclusion Overall, general surgery residents indicated that they had not participated in activities they felt to be unethical. Defining what is unethical was less clear. This represents an area for further education.

UR - https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/surg/613

U2 - 10.1016/j.surg.2010.04.016

DO - 10.1016/j.surg.2010.04.016

M3 - Article

C2 - 20542528

VL - 148

JO - Surgery

JF - Surgery

ER -

Self-Reported Attitudes and Behaviors of General Surgery Residents about Ethical Academic Practices in Test Taking

Abstract

Disciplines

Access to Document

Other files and links

Cite this