Academic integrity among medical students and postgraduate trainees in the teaching hospitals of South Punjab Pakistan

This study investigated the topic of the academic integrity among medical students and postgraduate trainees in the teaching hospitals of South Punjab, Pakistan. A cross-sectional survey was conducted involving 318 medical students and postgraduate trainees of teaching hospitals. The results found that medical students of pre-clinical years engaged in unethical behaviour, that is, exam cheating and plagiarism to cope with internal and external evaluation and the range of subjects needed to be studied. For postgraduate trainees, results showed trainees unintentionally engaged in the practice of plagiarism due to lack of understanding about what constitutes plagiarism, coupled with externally perceived pressures associated with expectations of research publication, promotions and tenured positions. To address these concerns, it is recommended that information literacy sessions for undergraduate and postgraduate medical students on plagiarism prevention and ethical practice be designed and facilitated by medical librarians in collaboration of faculty members.

Automated summary

This study investigated the issue of academic integrity among medical students and postgraduate trainees in teaching hospitals in South Punjab, Pakistan. The results showed that pre-clinical medical students engaged in unethical behaviors such as exam cheating and plagiarism to cope with evaluations and a wide range of subjects. Similarly, postgraduate trainees unintentionally engaged in plagiarism due to lack of understanding and external pressures for research publication and career advancement. To address these concerns, the study suggests the collaboration between medical librarians and faculty members to design information literacy sessions on plagiarism prevention and ethical practices for undergraduate and postgraduate medical students.