Patient attitudes - training students in general practice.
BACKGROUND
While evidence from Australian studies is lacking, evidence from overseas suggests that patients are generally willing to have a medical student present during general practitioner consultations. This willingness, however, may be contingent upon factors related to the patient, student or consultation.


METHODS
Focus groups and two cross sectional surveys of 296 patients attending 16 general practices in New South Wales.


RESULTS
Patients are willing to have students present, but not for all consultations. Patients find it problematic to have students present during consultations that involve worrying test results, emotional upset, internal examinations, and sexual problems. Younger patients are less willing to have a student present. For all patients the presence of a student may alter the dynamics and content of the consultation; patients are less willing to see a student without the GP also being present.


CONCLUSIONS
Supervising GPs should be aware of circumstances where patients are less likely to want a student present and of ways in which the presence of a student may alter the consultation.
Sweeney
Kevin
K
Discipline of General Practice, University of Newcastle, New South Wales. kevin.sweeney@gptvtc.com.au
Magin
Parker
P
Pond
Dimity
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000193:education*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005791:Patient Care; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013337:Students, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013637:Tape Recording; D055815:Young Adult