The effect of clinical teaching on patient satisfaction in rural and community settings.
BACKGROUND
Few studies have examined the effect of clinical teaching on patient satisfaction in rural and community-based settings. We sought to examine whether patient satisfaction differed when patients were seen by a physician alone or by a physician and medical student in these settings.


METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional study in rural and community-based settings in southern Ontario (3 obstetrician-gynecologist offices and 4 family medicine clinics). Patients seen by a physician with or without a medical student present completed satisfaction and attitudes questionnaires about their experience.


RESULTS
Patient satisfaction was high across both groups and did not differ when segregated by patient age, sex or employment status. Satisfaction scores were similar for patients seen by a physician with or without a student present. Satisfaction scores did not differ based on practice location. Patients' reasons for agreeing to be seen by a medical student included helping to teach students about medical concerns and helping to train future doctors.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients in rural and community-based outpatient settings were satisfied with their care when a medical student was involved.
Department of Health Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ont.
Madelyn
M
Law
Department of Family Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ont.
Maren
M
Hamilton
Department of Health Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ont.
Erica
E
Bridge
Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Niagara Regional Campus, St. Catharines, Ont.
Allison
A
Brown
Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Niagara Regional Campus, St. Catharines, Ont.; Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.
Matthew
M
Greenway
Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Niagara Regional Campus, St. Catharines, Ont.; Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.
Karl
K
Stobbe
D000328:Adult; D002982:Clinical Clerkship / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013337:Students, Medical; D055815:Young Adult