The Effect of Implementing the Changed Code of Ethics and Professional Character on the Implementation of Hospital Protocols and the Behavior of Medical Assistants

Professional behavior of residents plays an important role in improving hospital performance and patient satisfaction. In this study, we investigated the rate of changes in residents' adherence to protocols and patient satisfaction by changing the method of evaluation of residents' professional behavior.

In this observational study, this was designed and implemented by before and after, 384 specialized residents in Imam Hossein Hospital were included in the study. In two consecutive 5-month periods, residents' performance was evaluated first based on "Residents' Professional Behavior Evaluation Questionnaire Communicated by the Ministry of Health" and then on "New Protocol of Residents' Professional Ethics". Data were analyzed by SPSS software. To describe the data, mean and median indices were used. Wilcoxon and McNemar tests were used to analyze the data.

Attendance of assistants in hospital conferences during the same period increased from 1038 people to 1669 people in the second round of the study (p < 0.001). Observance of religious and ethical standards in examination and treatment measures in outpatients increased from 79.6% to 90.7%, which was significant. (P = 0/016) Before the implementation of the new protocol, 81.51% of non-emergency consultations were performed in less than 24 hours, which increased to 90.84% after the implementation of the plan (p < 0.032). The rate of patient assignment index in the emergency department improved to an acceptable level. Indicators related to emergency outpatients, such as physician's attitude, adequate patient attention, and appropriate coverage, improved Also. In hospitalized patients, indicators such as observance of sharia rules in examination and treatment were improved, but these improvements were not significant.

It seems that the changed style sheet would improve the ethics and professional character of the assistants. It is recommended to conduct similar research at other universities. In this regard, it seems that changes in evaluation indicators as well as assigning part of the evaluations to the deputy of hospital education, can be effective in improving patient satisfaction level and more adherence of residents to ethical standards.