Patient Attitudes Regarding Medical Student Involvement in a Primary Care Setting

Abstract

Previous studies on patient comfort with medical student involvement have consistently reported positive or neutral results within multiple specialties. The objective of this study was to examine patient attitudes toward medical students in a private family practice setting. This study also looked to examine whether recent medical student interaction alters patient attitude and if patient attitude can be improved with the prospect of providing feedback. It was hypothesized that there would be a positive pre-to-post test change in patient attitudes and that patients would respond positively to the prospect of providing feedback. Ninety-nine consecutive consenting adult patients completed a self-administered questionnaire before and after their office visit, which included a medical student interaction. Patient demographics (age, gender, race, prior student exposure, # years with doctor) as well as their attitudes toward the involvement of medical students were recorded. Data were collected for 10 months at Renaissance Medical Group, a private family practice with one physician provider. Data were compiled in Excel and analyzed with STATA12. Paired two-tailed T-tests and ANOVA were used to determine statistical significance. The results demonstrated that, prior to medical student interaction on 8 of 9 measures, patients have positive attitudes toward medical students. After medical student interaction, on 7 of 9 measures, respondents changed their response to a more positive position (P<=0.05). In addition, patients demonstrated a willingness to provide feedback to the medical student, but providing this feedback would not significantly alter their patient care experience. There were also statistically significant demographic differences on specific measures. This study provides evidence that patients respond positively to medical student interaction in the private Family Medicine setting. This study also demonstrates areas in which the patient care experience can be improved and provides the basis for further study on the patient - medical student interaction.