Perceptions on bioethics among patients presenting to family physicians at a teaching hospital in Karachi, Pakistan

Objective: To study the perceptions on bioethics among patients presenting to family physicians at a teaching hospital in Karachi, Pakistan Study design: Questionnaire based cross sectional survey Settings: The study was carried out at the family practice center, the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi Main outcome measures: Perceptions on the broad principles of bioethics Results: Majority of the respondents were young and well educated and better placed socioeconomically. Respondents reported the moral duties of a physician and their reaction in the event of the death of a close relative due to a doctor's negligence. The majority agreed that a "doctor is next to god". Other issues studied include discontinuation of artificial Life support, giving of gifts by pharmaceutical companies to doctors, sickness certification, organ donation, human cloning, disclosure of information to cancer patient and patient confidentiality. Conclusion: We have found interesting patient's perceptions on Bioethics with important implications for clinical practice.