Are Tomorrow's Doctors Honest? Academic Misconduct among Medical Students

Cheating on examinations in academic institutions is a worldwide issue. When cheating occurs in medical schools, it has serious consequences for human life, social values, and the economy. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of cheating and identify factors that influence cheating among medical students.Academic dishonesty or academic misconduct is any type of cheating that occurs in relation to a formal academic exercise. In June 2015, a cross-sectional survey using an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was uploaded on different medical college groups at Facebook. The questionnaire was comprised of six parts.The first part of the questionnaire contained general information and year of study. The second part consisted of 3 questions which asked the students whether they had engaged in the act of cheating or not. The third part was based on the types of cheating observed. The fourth part was based on their attitudes and perception towards cheating. Fifth part focused on the reason why they indulge in the act of cheating. The last part was aimed to assess what punishment, if any, they think should be given to the students who are caught cheating.Medical students were subjects. Completed questionnaires were then analyzed through SPSS.
A total of 339 students from different medical colleges studying in different years completed the questionnaire. Most of the students were in 4th year (166 out of 339) that filled in the questionnaire. There were 215 (63.4%) females and 124 (36.6 %) males. Though students admit cheating is a wrong act, but they still engage in this shameful act for one or the other reason. 71.4% of the students feel compelled to help their friends cheat during exams.  75.2% of the students accepted that marking proxy for their friends is cheating. Most students are of the view that they should not be punished if they are caught indulged in this act. A large number of medical students admitted cheating and involvement in other academic misconduct. We need to improve our educational system, formally add a professional session, and strict disciplinary action should be taken against those who are found guilty.