a model for ethical universities in medical sciences universities: a qualitative study

Background & objective: ethics in academia is key to creating a quality assurance system in higher education. it reflects progress in society. in simpler terms, building an ethics-focused university requires a clear approach to ethics. this study aims to present a model for an ethics-oriented university within medical schools.materials & methods: this study used a grounded theory design and the data theory approach from strauss and corbin (1997). it involved 26 professors and experts from medical schools and universities in the 6th macro-region. semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather data until theoretical saturation was reached. the analysis was done using open, axial, and selective coding methods.results: the ethics-oriented university model in medical schools was structured with 168 primary codes, 34 subcategories, and six main categories. the findings identified causal conditions such as social and cultural roles, healthy competition, ethical standardization, and value-driven transformation; contextual conditions including fundamental values, ethical environment, culture, and vision; and intervening conditions like trust, spirituality, responsibility, commitment, leadership, and ethical intelligence. the main categories encompass education, research, knowledge, interaction, training, and ethical awareness. strategies involved institutionalizing ethics, development of professional ethics, ethical planning, developing ethical charters, focusing on ethical community, ethical role modeling, development of ethical capacities, and ensuring ethical sustainability. the outcomes highlighted organizational health, moral growth in society, environmental ethics, individual and organizational development, and social capital.conclusion: based on the factors identified in the ethics-oriented university model, recommendations were made for its development and implementation.