Patients' perceptions of medical students in a longitudinal family medicine clerkship

Background: Although educational characteristics of ambulatory clinical env ironments are becoming clearer; less is known concerning patient opinions a bout participating in medical student instruction in ambulatory settings. S uch perceptions may have an important influence on recruitment and retentio n of community faculty. Methods: Surveys were administered to 121 patients seen by medical students during a longitudinal family medicine clerkship. T he survey explored patients' opinions regarding the extent of direct studen t involvement in their care, students 'competence, and patient feelings abo ut participating in medical student instruction. Results: Patients felt tha t students were highly involved in providing care and that they performed c ompletely and professionally? Patients found participation in medical educa tion enjoyable, not excessively time-consuming or disruptive, and believed that students' participation improved the quality of care they, received. C onclusions: Patients in our family medicine clerkship do not have negative perceptions about their participation in medical student education. In fact , this study suggests that such participation may actually enhance patient satisfaction.