Patient knowledge of physician responsibilities and their preferences for care in ophthalmology teaching clinics.
OBJECTIVE
To determine how well patients understand the hierarchy of a teaching hospital, what factors influence patient knowledge, and how patients feel about their role in training physicians.


METHODS
Prospective cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
A total of 312 patients attending 1 of 3 ophthalmology clinics at the Kresge Eye Institute in July 2006.


METHODS
Survey of knowledge about the training and responsibilities of medical students, residents, and attending physicians was conducted, as well as subjective evaluation regarding patient comfort with treatment by physicians in training. Knowledge Score was correlated with subjective Comfort Score and demographics using analysis of variance.


METHODS
Knowledge Score and subjective Comfort Score.


RESULTS
A total of 312 surveys were completed. Some 56% of questions were answered correctly. Higher education was the only significant factor for increased Knowledge Score (P<0.001). Respondents with a higher Knowledge Score had a correspondingly higher Comfort Score (P = 0.004) and are significantly more comfortable with treatment provided by physicians in training (residents). Clinic site (P = 0.002) and increasing age (P = 0.02) are also significant independent factors for increased comfort with treatment provided by physicians in training.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients have moderate knowledge of the training and hierarchy of medical students, residents, and attending physicians. Increased patient knowledge is a significant independent factor for increased patient comfort with treatment by physicians in training. Clinic site and increased age are also significant factors for comfort with treatment by physicians in training.


BACKGROUND
The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
Guffey
Ryan
R
Kresge Eye Institute, Wayne State School of Medicine, 4717 St. Antoine Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48201-1423, USA.
Juzych
Nadia
N
Juzych
Mark
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D004522:Educational Status; D006302:Health Services Research; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D007587:Job Description; D008875:Middle Aged; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000193:education*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D010819:Physician's Role; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013337:Students, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce; D055815:Young Adult