Religious consciousness as an ethical regulator of a professional behavior of future doctors

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the influence of religious consciousness on the moral and professional behavior of future doctors. The comparative analysis of moral and bioethical perceptions of students with either religious (87,6 %) or atheistic (12,4 %) world outlook has revealed a statistically significant difference in 8 of l6 variables (characterizing the moral condition of students), and in 7 variables of 19 (characterizing bioethical representation of students). These differences were established in 3 of 7 biomedical technologies studied: new reproductive technologies (in vitro fertilization), abortion, and end-of-life issues (euthanasia). It has been shown that the attitude of religiously conscious medical students towards biomedical technologies is morally grounded, based on moral value and moral sense. We consider that religious consciousness contributes to a better understanding of bioethical dilemmas by medical students as well as to the development of their personal responsibility in case of medical interventions influencing human life and death. The obtained findings suggest that religious consciousness of medical students may help them determine the standards of their conduct and competence expected of the members of medical profession.

religious consciousness, bioethical worldview, moral condition, bioethical representations, biomedical technology, students, higher medical school