ETHICAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT: STUDENTS' PERCEPTIONS

Abstract

Background: Today`s fast-changing world and developments in health care system have indirect or direct effects on communication ethics. More and more unethical situations are faced by health care workers in their professional work. Thus, it is important to address the ethical aspects more seriously already in the learning environment.   Objective: To describe and analyze students` opinions on ethical aspects in their learning environment, behaviours considered unethical by them and possible reasons behind it. Methods: The methodology combines theoretical and empirical parts, semistructured interviews conducted with 47 students were analysed. Results: Students emphasized lecturers' personal qualities to be more important than general learning environment and the importance of respectful communication was also considered essential. Unethical behaviour is seen as lack of respect and manners from all parties involved. Conclusions: Ethical behaviour and its various aspects should be included into the studies and discussed starting from the first course to ensure ethical learning environment and comminucation between academic staff and students.