The Examination of Two Different Health Professions Undergraduate Students’ Altruism Level

Aim: The current study actualized to compare the altruism level of two professions’ undergraduates students (Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation and Health Management) who provide different contributions to the field of health as a rehabilitation and management and to investigate the effect of undergraduate education on the altruism level of students. Materials and Methods: Three hundred twenty-three students who were attend to all grades of Trakya University Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation (PT) and Health Management (HM) Departments participated in the study. Socio-demographic characteristics were recorded. Altruism level of the individuals were evaluated with “Altruism Scale”. Results: Altruism level of PT and HM students were compared between the grades. It was found that first grades HM students had higher altruism level on “Participation to voluntary activities, helping to elderly/patient individuals, aids based on physical power” than PT students (p<.05). Altruism level of PT and FM students were compared between the first and fourth grades. Fourth grades PT students had higher altruism level on “Helping to Elderly/Patient Individuals” when compared with first grades (p<.05). Discussion: In the current study, it was found that altruism level of students may not be a determinant of professional choice; however, altruism level can be changed with the undergraduate training. In this context, it is thought that it is important the education curriculums of rehabilitation professionals should be planned in a way to increase the altruism levels of the individuals