title: Medical student attitudes toward patients in diverse care settings: the impact of a patient evaluation course.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  First-year medical students typically have limited exposure to patients in diverse care settings, such as rehabilitation facilities and nursing homes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  It is unknown whether students bring predetermined attitudes toward these patients, or whether attitudes are influenced by early exposure. We studied this in a new course that provides opportunities for students to interact with patients of various ages and disabilities.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted surveys of 1st-year medical students at the University of Rochester in the year prior to the new course and during its initial year. We used factor analysis to derive underlying dimensions of students' responses. We also investigated the impact that the course had on their perceptions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both years, we found that students conceptualize patient care along 2 affective dimensions (comfort and pleasure) and 2 attitudinal dimensions (bias and pessimism), rather than by type of disability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This 10-week course improved their affect toward these patient groups but had little effect on their general attitudes toward the value of caring for them.
authors.affiliation: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA. Annette_medinawalpole@urmc.rochester.edu
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Medina-Walpole
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Mooney
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lyness
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lurie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003479:Curriculum; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009518:New York; D009735:Nursing Homes; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult