A Study on Patients’ Perception and Attitude Toward Medical Students In Two Different Hospital Setting– Hospital Kulim And Hospital Kuala Lumpur

Abstract

The quality of education a medical student receives is found to be associated with the type of interaction and the amount of clinical cases a student is exposed to. Therefore, it is important to identify the factors that affect the attitude and perception of patients. The study is aimed to assess the perception and attitude of patients towards medical students in two different hospital settings: urban and suburban area. This cross sectional study took place in two different hospitals setting which are Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) and Hospital Kulim (HK). A total of 213 patients were interviewed using a structured questionnaire regarding their perception and attitude towards medical students’ involvement in their care. A total of 213 patients interviewed, 70% (n=149) were from HKL and 30% (n=64) from HK. Patients from HK had more positive attitude towards medical student compared to patients from HKL (mean Likert score=3.65/5). However, there was no significant difference between hospital settings and patient’s attitude (p>0.05). Overall, 76.5% (n=163) patients agree and 7% (n=15) strongly agree to allow the involvement of medical students during clinical examination but 46.0% (n=98) disagree to be examined in the absence of doctor’s supervision. There were no significant difference in association between patients’ age, race, education level, occupation and marital status with their attitude (p> 0.05). Only patient’s gender had significant difference relationship with their attitude (p<0.05). Out of all the patients who had a negative attitude, female patients (52.5%, n=63) appeared to be less receptive towards medical students compared to male patients (47.5%, n=57). This study shows no significant differences between patients’ attitude in urban and suburban hospital settings toward medical students. However, medical students and clinical supervisors need to have better understanding of patient preference when students are involved in patients’ management.