Quantitative evaluation ethical perception analysis and argument ability of medical postgraduates based on an example about uterine transplantation

Objective To investigate the capacity of medical postgraduates’ ethical analysis and the method of quantitative statistical analysis about bioethical case. Methods The ethical issues raised in uterine transplantation was taken into consideration. Self-designed questionnaire and quantitative statistical method is used to codify and analyze 340 medical postgraduates’ written response about ethical perception of the uterine transplantation. Results There were 72.4%(246/340)students who held the supportive attitude toward the uterus transplantation, and had better understood about the ethical principles such as informed consent, max-benefit and min-risk. Logistic multivariate analysis found that the object who had realized the benefits of uterine transplantation and a higher degree of awareness about similar transplant was more likely to support the case. However, those who had the awareness of the probable risks during surgery were more likely to be opposed to it. Conclusions The investigated medical postgraduates had the basic level of ethical perception, meanwhile further improve was essential. Quantitative analysis was accurate method to evaluate medical students’ ethical ability, and provided scientific basis for the teaching improving. However, further exploration of the measurement tools was necessary in the future. Key words: Ethical perception; Ethical argument; Informed consent; Quantitative evaluation; Uterine transplantation