PRIVACY CONSCIOUSNESS AND ITS DETERMINANTS AMONG FUTURE OPERATING ROOM PROFESSIONALS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Background: Privacy is a fundamental ethical and legal principle in healthcare, especially in surgical settings where patients are physically and emotionally vulnerable. Ensuring privacy not only protects patient dignity but also enhances care quality and satisfaction. However, limited research has explored the privacy consciousness of future operating room professionals.Aim: This study aimed to determine the levels of privacy consciousness among students enrolled in the Anesthesia and Operating Room Services programs and to identify the factors influencing their awareness.Methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted at Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Vocational School of Health Services, during the Spring semester of the 2024–2025 academic year. The sample included 178 second-year students who voluntarily participated. Data were collected using a Demographic Information Form and the Privacy Consciousness Scale (PCS), which assesses self-privacy, awareness of others’ privacy, and privacy-maintaining behaviors. Data were analyzed using SPSS 24.0 with descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, and correlation analyses.Results: Participants exhibited moderate to high levels of privacy consciousness (M = 3.9 ± 0.4). Female students and those with prior training on patient rights scored significantly higher (p < 0.05). A positive correlation was observed between privacy scores and both age (r = 0.21, p = 0.005) and internship duration (r = 0.29, p = 0.001). No significant difference was found between program types.Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of privacy education and clinical experience in shaping ethical awareness among future surgical staff. Integrating structured privacy training into vocational health curricula is essential for promoting ethical, patient-centered care.