SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS OF ISSUES RELATED TO ACADEMIC INTEGRITY IN TWO PAKISTANI MEDICAL SCHOOLS

Solutions of Issues Related To Academic Integrity

Abstract

Objective: To determine issues related to academic integrity in two Pakistani medical schools and suggest possible solutions of the issues identified.
Study Design: Qualitative research.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at Army Medical College and Armed Forces Postgraduate Medical Institute (AFPGMI), Rawalpindi.
Participants and Methods: Six focus groups were formed using systematic method of sampling. Discussions were held around a set of predetermined exploration structured questions: (1) what are the issues related to academic integrity? (2) What are the proposed solutions of these issues? The common issues, and solutions were organized, and listed in a sequence. Data was presented in appropriate table for easy comprehension
Result: All focus groups identified that existing poorly defined ethical policy in the medical colleges, cheating and plagiarism by the students and poor teaching of ethics and academic integrity were significant issues related to academic integrity in the medical colleges. The remedial measures included presence of honor code and inclusion of teaching of ethics in the medical schools.
Conclusion: Teaching of professionalism and ethics should be included in the curriculum of medical colleges.