Faculty Competencies and Curricular Analysis of Bioethics Education in Seven Health Sciences Programs: A Cross-sectional Study from Paraguay

Abstract

Background: Bioethics education is essential for developing ethical competencies in healthcare professionals. However, limited evidence exists regarding its implementation in health sciences programs, particularly in developing countries.

Objective: To assess the integration of bioethics education in health sciences programs by examining faculty training levels and curricular implementation at a private university in Paraguay.

Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed academic records from 105 faculty members (34.7% response rate) and curricula from seven undergraduate health sciences programs during 2020-2021. Data collection included faculty demographics, bioethics training, curricular content, teaching methodologies, and assessment strategies. Quantitative analysis employed descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, while qualitative analysis examined curricular documents.

Results: Only 2% of faculty held formal bioethics qualifications, while 24% reported non-formal training. The Nursing program showed significantly higher rates of faculty with bioethics training (71%) compared to other programs (0-22%, P=0.03). All programs, except Psychology, included ethical principles in their mission statements, but implementation was limited to single mandatory courses (34–85 hours) with traditional lecture-based teaching methods. Significant variations were found in the timing of bioethics education across programs, ranging from second to tenth semester.

Conclusions: Findings reveal substantial gaps between institutional aspirations and actual implementation of bioethics education, characterized by limited faculty training and fragmented curricular integration. Results suggest the need for enhanced faculty development, curriculum revision, and innovative teaching strategies to strengthen bioethics education in health sciences programs.