Professional Ethics and Conduct in Iran’s Universities of Medical Sciences: A Scoping Review

Toosi, Zahra; Gharaee, Hojatolah; Ezzati Rastegar, Khadijeh; Giti, Anahita; Beglari, Mahdi

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Volume 34, Issue 3 (7-2026)

Journal of Ilam University of Medical Sciences 2026, 34(3): 57-72

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Professional Ethics and Conduct in Iran’s Universities of Medical Sciences: A Scoping Review

Zahra Toosi¹

, Hojatolah Gharaee ^*²

, Khadijeh Ezzati Rastegar³

, Anahita Giti⁴

, Mahdi Beglari⁵

1- Dept of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran & Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Institute of Health Sciences and Technology, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
2- Dept of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran & Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Institute of Health Sciences and Technology, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran , h.gharaei@umsha.ac.ir
3- Vice Chancellor for Resources Management and Planing, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan. Iran
4- School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
5- Vice Chancellor for Research and Technology, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran

Abstract: (121 Views)

Introduction: Professional ethics are considered fundamental pillars of the healthcare system. Given the multiplicity and dispersion of studies in this field in Iran, this scoping review was conducted to assess the status of research carried out in Iran.
Materials & Methods: This study was a scoping review conducted based on the framework proposed by Arksey and O’Malley (2005). The research population included original articles published in authoritative English databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) and Persian databases (SID and Magiran) up to 2025. Data from the studies were extracted using a standard checklist and analyzed through thematic content analysis.
Results: Out of a total of 263 studies included in the review, 71.9% were descriptive. The main target groups consisted of students and nurses, accounting for approximately 50% of the studies. Most studies were conducted in the domains of education and treatment, which together comprised over 80% of the research. The most commonly used tools were questionnaires, with 37.3% being researcher-made and 31.5% being standardized instruments. The overall status of ethics and professional conduct in Iran’s universities of medical sciences is assessed as moderate. The most frequently reported strengths were, in order, dimensions of respect for patients and confidentiality, responsibility, and quality care improvement. The most significant challenges included “professional excellence, management of medical errors, honesty and beneficence, and organizational factors such as heavy workload, staff shortages, and organizational culture.
Conclusion: Research in Iran in the field of ethics and professional conduct has primarily been at the stage of describing the current situation and faces a shortage of interventional and longitudinal studies. The moderate status of ethics and professional conduct, along with the existence of structural challenges, reveals the necessity of transitioning from descriptive approaches to systematic interventions. Localizing assessment tools, focusing on reforming organizational factors, and utilizing the capacity of the hidden curriculum seems essential.

Keywords: Professional Ethics, Professional Conduct, University of Medical Sciences, Iran, Scoping Review

Full-Text [PDF 843 kb] (50 Downloads)

Editorial Note: Research | Subject: health care management
Received: 2026/04/11 | Accepted: 2026/06/7 | Published: 2026/07/27

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Toosi Z, Gharaee H, Ezzati Rastegar K, Giti A, Beglari M. Professional Ethics and Conduct in Iran’s Universities of Medical Sciences: A Scoping Review. J. Ilam Uni. Med. Sci. 2026; 34 (3) :57-72
URL: http://sjimu.medilam.ac.ir/article-1-8916-en.html

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