The survey was carried out at Dundee University

A survey of almost 700 undergraduates at Dundee University Medical School found many would forge signatures, pass off previous work as new and falsify patient information.

The researchers suggested the pressures of medical school were to blame for students' actions.

The British Medical Association described the findings as "horrifying" and said action is needed to ensure students act honestly.

Academic misconduct

The students were asked to fill out an anonymous questionnaire containing 14 different examples of academic misconduct carried out by a fictitious student called "John".

John forged signatures on his assessment, cheated in exams, lied about carrying out physical examinations on patients, lent work to other students to copy and passed off previously submitted work as new.

We are concerned by these findings. They are horrifying Dr Vivienne Nathanson, BMA

The students were asked whether they felt John was wrong and whether they had or would commit similar transgressions.

Almost half said they found nothing wrong with submitting previously submitted work.

One in three said they had or would allow another student to copy their work.

One in 10 said they would copy another students work while over half said they would copy directly from books or papers without acknowledging the source.

The survey was carried out in 1999 and staff at Dundee University have introduced changes to ensure students do not act dishonestly.

The researchers said the findings could reflect the pressures of studying medicine.

Writing in the Journal of Medical Ethics, they said: "It is possible that the increasing pressures on students as they progress through the course have influenced these results."

But they added that action is needed to ensure medical students act more honestly.

"The medical profession must consider the importance of developing strategies to encourage appropriate attitudes and behaviour at undergraduate level."

Dr Vivienne Nathanson, head of science and ethics at the BMA, said: "We are concerned by these findings. They are horrifying. Students should not get away with lying."

Speaking to BBC News Online, she added: "Dundee University has introduced changes to tackle this issue. We would encourage other medical schools to also look at this issue."

Professor Martin Tippard, teaching dean at Dundee University Medical School, said students were now required to sign a code of practice pledging to act honestly.

"This work was done four years ago. The school did respond internally to that work it was extremely useful in pointing out that these type of things are going one," he told BBC News Online.