Professional values and perception of knowledge regarding professional ethics in physical therapy students: A STROBE compliant cross-sectional study

Undergraduate students start the acquisition of a professional identity, and begin to achieve professional values and consciousness of an ethical behavior as future health professionals. The aim of this study was describe professional values and perception of knowledge regarding professional ethics of physical therapy students. A cross-sectional study was performed. A total of 351 students participated in the study. Professional values and perception of knowledge regarding professional ethics were assessed. Ethical approval was obtained from the University Ethics Review Board. The most important value was equity, while the least one was abnegation. The second educational year showed higher scores in importance of scientific quality (P = .010 vs first year), the third year in respect for life (P = .041 vs first year, respectively), and the fourth year in respect to patient’s autonomy (P = .033 vs first year). First-year students showed lower scores in perception of knowledge regarding professional ethics (P < .001 vs second, third, and fourth year), while second-year students had higher scores (P < .001 vs first and third; P = .006 vs fourth year) and no differences between third- and fourth-year students were found. Those professional values highly considered by the students were mainly shared professional values, with equity ranked highest and abnegation lowest. Furthermore, second-year students had a well-established perception of knowledge regarding professional ethics, showing significant higher scores when compared to the rest of the educational years. This is the first cross-sectional study that describes these variables among physical therapy students and it is a starting point for future. Physical therapy educators might want to take into account these findings when teaching and guiding students in developing awareness for their professional values and perception of knowledge regarding professional ethics.