A Comparative Study of Professional Ethics Curriculum in the Operating Room Technology Undergraduate Degree Program in Iran and in the Similar Disciplines in the Selected Universities Around the World

 Extensive and rapid changes owing to the arrival of new needs, along with technological innovations and the development of surgical and anesthesia techniques, has exposed surgical teams to various operating room ethical issues. Undoubtedly, offering a theoretical topic for a number of hours will not be sufficiently effective. The present study was conducted with the aim of comparing the professional ethics curriculums in the Operating Room Technology undergraduate program in Iran and in the similar disciplines in the selected universities around the world in order to identify the approaches to the revision of the existing program.

 The current research is a comparative study which was conducted based on Bereday’s four-step comparative analysis method. After data collection, the data were analyzed using a researcher-made verification checklist based on Harden's integration strategy and the curriculum components. Then they were placed in a table according to the similarities and the differences. Next the key and important items were explained based on the research topic in order to identify the approaches to the revision of the curriculum of the operating room professional ethics in the country.

Ethical Considerations: 

The present research has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Alborz University of Medical Sciences.

 According to the results of the present study, in many universities, the professional ethics course is offered in the form of integration during the training course. This course is offered considering the educational goals in the theoretical and psycho-motor dimensions, in addition to the cognitive dimension, and using active teaching methods such as story writing, scenario-based, simulation, and group discussion, as well as the assessment methods such as conducting projects, recording experience writing, case study, reflection writing in the portfolio, and direct observation in addition to the written test is offered.

 In comparison to other universities in the world, the curriculum of professional ethics in the operating room in Iran has serious defects in various aspects, including educational strategy, educational goals, teaching methods and assessment methods, which require revision and basic reforms.