Patients' attitudes and comfort levels regarding medical students' involvement in obstetrics-gynecology outpatient clinics

Purpose. To identify patients' attitudes toward the role of medical student s, their preferences regarding medical student involvement, and their comfo rt level with a medical student's presence during common clinical situation s in obstetrics-gynecology. Method. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to patients waiti ng for an office visit with the obstetricians or gynecologists who served a s preceptors for both male and female medical students. The questionnaire a sked patients about their comfort levels with having medical students prese nt during commonly encountered clinical situations. A random subsample of t hese patients were also asked whether they would allow a medical student to be present during future visits, and why or why not. Results. A total of 229 patients completed the survey and 124 responded to the supplemental survey Sixteen respondents were excluded due to missing da ta or a lack of an adequate comparison group. A majority responded they wou ld feel comfortable having a medical student present during most clinical s ituations. Almost half of the patients preferred to see the doctor and medi cal student together, while less than a quarter wanted to see just the phys ician. Patients with more experience with medical students were more likely to favor medical student involvement and would feel more comfortable havin g a medical student present during obstetrics or gynecology clinical situat ions. Conclusion. Patients are willing to involve and feel comfortable with medic al students in the obstetrics-gynecology clinic. However, physicians and cl inics need to take steps to ensure that patient willingness and comfort are maintained by asking patients about their comfort with medical student inv olvement, clearly outlining the roles and responsibilities of participating medical students, and gradually increasing medical students' responsibilit ies as patients gain more experience with them.