STUDENT AND PATIENT PERSPECTIVES ON BEDSIDE TEACHING

A cross-sectional study was undertaken to elicit patient and learner o pinions about bedside teaching (BST). Only 48% of learners reported th at they had been given enough BST during their undergraduate training, while 100% thought BST to be the most effective way of learning clini cal skills. Seventy seven per cent of patients enjoyed BST and 83% sai d that it did not make them anxious. The preferred site for case prese ntations was the conference room. Further quantitative studies are nee ded to investigate perceived impediments to BST from the teachers' poi nt of view.