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

Studies have shown that unprofessional behavior in medical school correlates with later disciplinary action by state medical boards. Studies amongst engineering, business and nursing students have specifically shown a positive correlation between academic dishonesty and unethical behaviors in training and professional practice. In a time when professionalism in medicine has been questioned general surgery residents must be held to high standards. Although academic dishonesty and what constitutes unethical behavior has been assessed among medical students, it has not been examined among general surgery residents. We sought to describe the attitudes of general surgery residents with regard to ethical and unethical academic practices related to the American Board of Surgery In-Training Exam (ABSITE).