Abstract

Patients� attitudes to medical student presence within a university hospital setting

Author(s): Miss Nicola M Read,Miss A Lauren R Goundry,Miss Charlotte A Marks,Miss Charline Bradshaw,Miss Carmen Yau,Mr Abdullah Jibawi

Aim: To identify patients’ attitudes towards presence of medical students within both inpatient and outpatient settings of a UK university teaching hospital. Methods: A cohort of 85 patients from surgical inpatient and outpatient settings completed an anonymous questionnaire exploring their attitudes to medical student presence. Significance of patient demographics and specific dimensions of care were analysed.

Results: Overall, patients were comfortable with the presence of medical students on the wards and in outpatient consultations. This held true when adjusted for hospital setting, age, gender and hospital stay. Qualitative data suggests patients support the teaching of medical students. However, this was conditional on receiving more information on their role (23%), the presence of supervising staff (59%) and assessment of the patient by a doctor beforehand (12%). 28% of patients were not comfortable being examined by unsupervised medical students and 16% were unaware of their right to refuse students’ presence. The mean number of students that patients were happy to attend at any one time was four. 17% of patients reported permission was not sought for medical student presence and 8% reported students did not introduce themselves.

Conclusion: The involvement of medical students has no negative effect on patient satisfaction. Patients generally support teaching of medical students, especially when concerns regarding consent and supervision are addressed.