In Morocco, the 2015 medical education reform formally incorporated training in research ethics into the national curriculum. That same year, the country adopted a dedicated law aimed at safeguarding the rights and welfare of individuals involved in biomedical research. These two developments (curricular reform and new legislation) were expected to enhance future physicians’ understanding of research ethics and, in turn, strengthen their attitudes and conduct in this domain. The primary goal of the present study was to evaluate the level of attitudes, knowledge, and practices concerning medical research ethics among Moroccan physicians at the early stage of their professional careers, specifically interns and residents. In 2021, a multicenter cross-sectional study was carried out among physicians in Morocco. To evaluate participants’ understanding and engagement with research ethics, three separate scores measuring knowledge, attitudes, and practices were developed and validated. The data analysis included descriptive statistics, followed by univariate analyses, and multivariate binary logistic regression was employed to identify factors influencing the calculated scores.
The study enrolled 924 physicians, with a mean age of 27.8 ± 2.2 years. While only 40.7% demonstrated strong knowledge of medical research ethics, a larger proportion (68.8%) exhibited positive attitudes toward ethical conduct. Knowledge and attitudes were higher among older participants, residents, and those who had received ethics training during their studies. However, ethical practices were less consistently applied: only 29.9% of physicians with research experience adhered to recommended ethical standards. Practice scores were significantly better among residents and physicians familiar with research ethics concepts. Incorporating comprehensive ethics training into the medical curriculum is crucial for improving researchers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Strengthening these competencies can ultimately contribute to both a higher volume and improved quality of medical research in Morocco.
