Abstract
BackgroundMedical students at the University of the West Indies receive clinical training by passing through a series of hospital rotations at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI). Many of these patients are unaware that medical students may be involved in their care. We performed this study to determine patient awareness and their willingness to participate in research and teaching activities.FindingsAll consecutive patients admitted to the UHWI between May 1, 2006 and May 29, 2006 who required elective or emergency surgical procedures were prospectively identified These patients were interviewed using a standardised pre-tested questionnaire about their knowledge and willingness to have medical students participate in the delivery of their hospital care. Data was analyzed using SPSS Version 12.0.There were 83 (39.5%) males and 127 (60.5%) females interviewed. The patients were unaware of the grade of the medical professional performing their interview/examination at admission in 157 (74.8%) cases or the grade of medical professional performing their operations in 101 (48.1%) cases.Only 14 (6.7%) patients were specifically asked to allow medical students to be present during their clinical evaluation and care. When specifically asked, 1 patient declined. Had they been asked, 196 (93.3%) patients would have voluntarily allowed medical student involvement.Only 90 (42.9%) patients were made aware that they were admitted to an academic centre with research interests. Only 6 (6.7%) patients declined. Had they been asked, 84 (93.3%) patients would be willing to participate in teaching or research projects.ConclusionsAs medical educators, we are responsible to adhere to ethical and legal guidelines when we interact with patients. It is apparent that there is urgent need for policy development at the UWI to guide clinicians and students on their interactions with patients.
Highlights
MethodsAt the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), patients presented to the Emergency Department when they required emergent medical attention
Medical students at the University of the West Indies receive clinical training by passing through a series of hospital rotations at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI)
We found that 157 (74.8%) patients did not know the status of the medical professional who interviewed and/or examined them on admission to the hospital wards
Summary
At the UHWI, patients presented to the Emergency Department when they required emergent medical attention. Patients who required non-urgent care presented to the ambulatory out patient clinics or directly to hospital wards for elective admission. Patients who were deemed to require in-patient care were admitted to hospital wards under the care of specific physician teams as demanded by their clinical presentation. We created a database of all patients admitted to the UHWI between May 1, 2006 and May 29, 2006. These patients were prospectively interviewed about their knowledge and willingness to have medical students participate in the delivery of their in hospital care.
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