PURPOSE
There is a negative assumption that patients are reluctant to have medical students be involved in their care. In response, students refrain from revealing to the patients that they are students in order that they may participate in patient-care. The purpose of this study is to determine whether patients' attitudes towards medical students is negative or positive, and to explore the level acceptable by patients of students' involvement in their care. METHODS: The study subjects were 90 inpatients in two university hospitals. The questionnaire consisted of 12 items covering patient's attitude toward student involvement in their care, acceptable patient-care activities in which students could be involved, and preference for being told if caregiver is a medical student. RESULTS: Patients' attitudes towards students' participation in their care were relatively more favorable than expected. 46.8% of patients reported that they would permit students to be involved up to and including simple non-invasive techniques. 76.2% of patients stated that they would allow students to participate in their future in-hospital care. Most patients preferred knowing that the caregiver was a medical student.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study are reassuring. A higher than expected percentage of patients surveyed disclosed that they would accept medical students being involved in their care. Medical educators should provide a safe environment for medical students to be able to tell the patients, "I am a student doctor".
