Design and validation of a questionnaire to assess perceptions and knowledge in bioethics and professional responsibility in Dentistry and other health fields

Abstract

Objective: To design and establish validity criteria for a questionnaire assessing perceptions and knowledge of bioethics and professional responsibility in health sciences. 

Methods: A questionnaire was designed, with validity estimated through: (a) cultural and content review by the research team, (b) analysis by a panel of linguists, and (c) qualitative and quantitative evaluation by expert judges in Bioethics. A pilot test was conducted, followed by distribution via Google Forms® to students, faculty, and graduates in Medicine, Kinesiology, and Dentistry at Universidad Adventista del Plata.

Results: The final instrument comprised 25 quantitative, 7 qualitative, and 5 demographic questions. Of the 29 disciplinary questions, 9 addressed bioethics, 16 professional responsibility, and 4 both topics. Seventeen measured knowledge, 3 measured perceptions, and 9 assessed respondents' opinions. Among 206 valid responses, mean ages were 24 (students), 44 (faculty), and 34 (graduates). Regarding highest academic degree (faculty/graduates), 51% held undergraduate qualifications without postgraduate training.

 Conclusions: The questionnaire demonstrated reliable validity criteria for evaluating knowledge and perceptions of bioethics and professional responsibility in health sciences, applicable in Argentina, Uruguay, and other Latin American countries.