The Correlations Between Nursing and Medical Students’ Values and Social Innovation Tendencies

AIM: This study aimed to determine the correlation between values and social innovation tendencies of nursing and medical students and examine the effect of values on social innovation tendencies. METHOD: This descriptive and correlational study consisted of 524 third-year students at nursing and medical faculties in a public university in Istanbul (response rate of 57.1%). The data of the study were collected using the information form, Portrait Values Questionnaire, and Social Innovation Scale. The data were collected between December 2015 and May 2016. The data were analyzed using descriptive and correlational analyses, and the factors affecting the score of social innovation were analyzed using linear regression analysis (backward). RESULTS: A positive significant correlation was determined between the total scores of Portrait Values Questionnaire and Social Innovation Scale (r=0.453). The subscale mean scores of Portrait Values Questionnaire had an effect of 26.6% in total score of Social Innovation Scale. In the regression model where significance was determined (F=37.566; p<0.01), the highest effect was observed in the subscale of universalism. CONCLUSION: The value of universalism affected the social innovation for both groups at the most, which is an expected result by the nature of these occupations. The value of openness to innovation including self-direction and stimulation in medical students had a significant effect on the total score of social innovation, which is compatible with innovative behavior literature. These results are expected to guide educators and managers in developing socially innovative behaviors.