From The Perspective of Students Receiving Hospital Practice Training: Ethical Values and Patient Privacy

Aim: This study was conducted to examine the relationship between the ethical values of students enrolled in health programs who are receiving clinical training in a hospital setting and patient privacy. Method: The research population consisted of 1133 students enrolled in the health departments and programs of a foundation university who participated in hospital practice. From this population, a sample of 333 students was selected using the convenience sampling method. The research data were collected by online questionnaire method using Demographic Information Form, Ethical Values Predisposition Scale and Patient Privacy Scale. The data obtained were analyzed with SPSS 27 package program. Results: The total mean scores of both the students' predisposition to ethical values and their views on patient privacy were found to be at a high level. The Spearman correlation analysis conducted to address the research question revealed a significant, positive, and moderate relationship between all subscales and total scores of both variables (r = 0.60, p < 0.001). Conclusion: As a result of the analysis, the hypothesis of the study was supported and it was found that the predisposition to ethical values and the attitude towards patient privacy have a parallel relationship. It is concluded that the importance to be shown to patient privacy can be increased with the adoption of ethical values, and the attitude towards patient privacy in health service delivery processes can be shaped by the predisposition to ethical values.