Directing student response to early patient contact by questionnaire.
BACKGROUND
First year medical students experienced early patient contact by observing outpatient consultations.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a questionnaire designed to examine emerging attitudes during the development of a doctor-patient relationship.


METHODS
First year medical students participated in medical outpatient consultations as observers. These consultations represented a total of 295 registered clinical appointments. After each observation, the students completed a questionnaire surveying themes related to the doctor-patient encounter. An instructor met the students at the end of the appointments to discuss the questions raised. The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure was used to assess the course environment.


RESULTS
Students found the activity useful and enjoyable. They reported increased self-esteem and enhanced enthusiasm for the study of medicine. They completed write-ups describing and evaluating the questionnaire data. The questionnaire notes showed homogeneity among the students. The Dundee Measure indicated the students regarded the learning environment positively (62.2%); social and ambient conditions were rated highly (64.6% and 64.7%, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The teaching of humanitarian attitudes by observation of the doctor-patient relationship in practice was welcomed by students. The environment in which this educational programme was carried out was considered adequate. The outpatient service schedule and the limited time available for student instruction on the part of staff doctors made this activity productive. The programme motivated students towards higher achievement and the pursuit of medical responsibility as well as more developed humanitarian behaviour patterns.
Vieira
Joaquim Edson
JE
Internal Medicine Department and Center for Development of Medical Education (CEDEM), University of São Paulo School of Medicine, Brazil. joaquimev@hotmail.com
do Patrocínio Tenório Nunes
Maria
M
de Arruda Martins
Milton
M
D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D003142:Communication; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D019370:Observation; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires