Objective: To determine which patients, based on selected patient, physician and visit information, were more likely to accept medical student participation in an outpatient visit.
Study design: A cross-sectional study conducted at a university-based private practice, evaluated 560 patients presenting for routine outpatient obstetric or gynecologic care. Participants completed a consent form regarding medical student participation in their visit. Patient, visit and physician demographic variables were abstracted. Comparison groups were those patients who accepted vs. those who refused medical student involvement.
Results: The majority of patients (75.8%) accepted student participation in their care. Patients who were black, were new to the office, were scheduled to see junior faculty and were evaluated for a vaginal discharge were more likely to refuse student participation. Patients seen for urinary incontinence were more likely to agree to medical student participation.
Conclusion: The majority of patients consented to medical student involvement. Using a brief survey, we identified patients who are more likely to allow medical students to participate in their visit. We will continue to query all patients regarding medical student teaching but will assign medical students accordingly to maximize their learning experience. We will also educate patients on the benefits of including medical students in the outpatient visit.