Analysis of moral reasoning in dentistry students through case-based learning (CBL)
Author
Macpherson, Ignacio
Arregui Gambús, María
Marchini, Leonardo
Giner-Tarrida, Luís
Publication date
2021ISSN
0022-0337
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop a tool to analyze the ethical dimensions during dental students' decision making, by using case-based learning (CBL). Methods: Five clinical scenarios involving ethical aspects addressing different moral dilemmas were selected. The cases were then administered to students during a course on ethics, and the students responded using a narrative technique. To analyze the responses, a criterion inspired by Kohlberg's theory of moral development was used. Subsequently, the data were analyzed statistically, and possible associations between the answers and other variables, such as the student's gender and theoretical knowledge of ethics, were evaluated. Results: A total of 260 students participated (182 women and 78 men), and 1300 narratives were analyzed. The reliability of the construct, as tested by the Cronbach's alpha and the homogeneity index, was acceptable (0.7). The validity of the construct was also assessed, suggesting a component analysis. The descriptive analysis suggests a certain tendency to solve moral problems by referring to established norms and laws. Furthermore, the correlation anaylysis suggests the interrelation between dimensions linked to patient integrity and respect for the truth, even though this conclusion is not reflected in the component analysis, which only detects a generic component of moral sensitivity. No significant differences by gender were found in the narratives, nor a strong correlation of the responses with theoretical knowledge on ethics. Conclusion: CBL through the narrative method on ethical dilemmas is an effective tool for assessing dental students' moral competencies and their possible interactions with other variables.
Document Type
Article
Document version
Published version
Language
English
Subject (CDU)
616.3 - Pathology of the digestive system. Complaints of the alimentary canal
Keywords
Aprenentatge basat en casos (CBL)
Odontologia
Competències ètiques
Ètica
Consciència moral
Aprendizaje basado en casos (CBL)
Odontología
Competencias éticas
Ética
Conciencia moral
Case-based learning (CBL)
Dentistry
Ethical competencies
Ethics
Moral conscience
Pages
9
Publisher
Wiley
Collection
86; 4
Is part of
Journal of Dental Education
Citation
Macpherson, Ignacio; Arregui Gambús, María; Marchini, Leonardo [et al.]. Analysis of moral reasoning in dentistry students through case-based learning (CBL). Journal of Dental Education, 2021, 86(4), p. 416-424. Disponible en: <https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jdd.12830>. Fecha de acceso: 6 feb. 2024. DOI: 10.1002/jdd.12830
This item appears in the following Collection(s)
- Odontologia [248]
Rights
© 2021 John Wiley & Sons, Inc or related companies. All rights reserved, including rights for text and data mining and training of artificial technologies or similar technologies.