Abstract
Patient interaction is a vital part of healthcare training. This study aimed to investigate patients' perceptions of the participation of medical students in their care. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2014 and March 2015 among 430 patients admitted to the medical and surgical wards at the King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. An Arabic questionnaire was designed to assess the demographic characteristics of the patients and their perceptions of students' participation in their medical care. A total of 416 patients completed the survey (response rate: 97%). Overall, 407 patients (98%) acknowledged the educational benefit of involving medical students in their care. A total of 368 patients (88%) had no objection to a medical student being involved in their care. Of these, 98% were willing to be asked about their medical history by medical students, 89% would permit physical examinations by medical students and 39% preferred that the gender of the medical student match their own. Education level (P <0.003), a positive prior experience with a medical student (P <0.001) and perception of the medical students' attitudes (P <0.001) had a significant effect on patients' acceptance of medical students participating in their care. In general, the patients had a positive perception of medical students, with most patients acknowledging the educational benefit of student participation in patient care. As patients' perceptions of students' professionalism, confidence and respect for privacy were significantly related to acceptance of care, education on these aspects should be a priority in medical curricula.
Highlights
Patient interaction is a vital part of healthcare training
In general, the patients had a positive perception of medical students, with most patients acknowledging the educational benefit of student participation in patient care
As patients’ perceptions of students’ professionalism, confidence and respect for privacy were significantly related to acceptance of care, education on these aspects should be a priority in medical curricula
Summary
Abstract: Objectives: Patient interaction is a vital part of healthcare training. This study aimed to investigate patients’ perceptions of the participation of medical students in their care. It is vital that medical students are able to interact with patients from an early stage in their medical education.[1,2] In order to accomplish this, medical schools have employed a variety of methods including practice scenarios with simulations or mannequins.[3,4] previous studies have found that allowing medical students contact with real patients is fundamental to enhancing their clinical skills prior to graduation.[5,6] Several studies have evaluated patients’ perceptions of medical students in a range of medical specialties and have indicated that patients have a generally accepting attitude towards the participation of medical students in their care.[3,7] certain factors or characteristics may affect patient attitudes towards medical students, such as previous experiences with medical students, education level, nature of the medical issue and the students’ genders and attitudes.[2,3,7,8,9] To the best of the authors’ knowledge, only two cross-sectional studies regarding patients’ attitudes towards the participation of medical students in their care have yet been conducted in Saudi Arabia.[3,10] Abdulghani et al found that 64% and 90.1% of 492 patients were accepting of medical students attending physical examinations and of students taking their medical histories, respectively, while Bukhari et al observed that 80% of 102 outpatient respondents were willing to let medical students participate in their treatment.[3,10]. Patients’ prior experiences with medical students, preferences regarding student gender and their willingness to be involved in medical education were assessed
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