Attitudes of Patients to Medical Students in the Gynaecology Clinic: A Nigerian Experience

Background: Out-patient clinics are very important in medical students’ education.

Aim: This study was undertaken to determine the attitudes of patients to the participation of medical students in their consultation in the gynaecology clinic at the University of Nigeria teaching hospital, Ituku-Ozalla Enugu (UNTH), Southeast Nigeria.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional survey. Self-administered questionnaires were given to participants recruited using a non-probability convenience sampling technique. One hundred and ninety five patients participated in the study.

Results: Most of the patients, 147(75.4%) were willing to allow medical students to participate in their consultation. Seven (3.6%) patients refused the participation of medical students in any form. Of the 141(72.3%) patients who had previous consultation with medical students present, only 59(41.8%) gave informed consent. Consent was not sought from 63(44.7%) of these patents (P=0.046). In the absence of a doctor, 58.2% and 46.4% of the patients did not accept giving history to male and female students respectively (P=0.021). Sixty nine (35.6%) and 146(75.3%) agreed to examination by male and female students respectively (P=0.031).

Age (P=0.029) and marital status (P=0.017) were identified as independently significantly associated with the acceptance of medical students’ participation during clinic visits.

Conclusion: In UNTH Nigeria, many patients are willing to allow medical students’ participation in their assessment in the gynaecology clinic although there is a preference for female students. There is need to respect patients autonomy by seeking consent in order to maximize their contribution to medical students’ education. There is also the need to create patient awareness on the role of a teaching health facility.