Patient Perception of Medical Learners and Medical Education during Clinical Consultation at a Family Medicine Residency

Abstract

Introduction. Experience in treating patients under supervision
of faculty is an important factor in medical education at all levels.
However, unpleasant patient experiences with a medical learner
during clinical consultation can damage the relationship between
the medical learner, physician supervisor, and patient. A goal of this
study was to examine patient experiences and preferences regarding
medical learners during clinical consultation at a family medicine
residency clinic. Another goal was to determine factors relating to
patients’ experiences and preferences regarding medical learners.

Methods. This cross-sectional study relied on patients completing
a survey designed from extant questionnaires to measure patients’
experiences and preferences relating to interactions with medical
learners at a family medicine clinic. Data were collected from 216
patients between December 2016 and August 2017. We correlated
patients’ feelings, overall experiences with medical learners and the
importance of medical education.

Results. There was a 93% participation rate. The patients rated their
overall experiences with medical learners as 3.8 on a 5-point scale,
suggesting positive experiences. Eighty-eight percent prefer not more
than three medical learners to be involved in their care during clinical
consultation. Patients’ overall experiences with medical learners
participating in medical care correlated with their preferences regarding
medical learners’ involvement in their treatment (r[209] = .524;
p = 0.01). Patients’ perception of medical learners participating in
medical care correlated with the importance of medical education
(r[209] = .878; p = 0.01).

Conclusions. The results showed that most patients have positive
experiences with medical learners and are generally in favor of
medical education.
Kans J Med 2018;11(4):102-105.