Patient perceptions of their role in undergraduate medical education within a primary care teaching practice
Abstract
CONTEXT: The importance of patient involvement as a positive contribution to both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education is now widely acknowledged. Patient contact has become an integral component of teaching, learning and assessment strategies. Research has considered the pedagogic advantage; however, a view from the patient on structure, process and outcome of their contribution has gone largely unexplored. The role of real patients in medical education is changing from passive to a more active involvement. Various commentators have called for more research into patients' perceptions of their role and involvement across a spectrum of educational activities and settings. This study offers an in-depth exploration of the patient perspective from primary care; a setting increasingly important for undergraduate medical education. The aim of this study is to explore patients' perceptions of their role in undergraduate medical education within a UK primary care setting. METHOD: A case study approach with an emphasis on data from in-depth interviews of 18 volunteer patients conducted within a purposively selected single teaching practice. The study captures patient perceptions of their experience, process and an evaluation of their involvement in medical student education. RESULTS: Findings highlight four key themes of involvement that reflect the existing literature but provide additional insights. The themes are; reflections on level of involvement and organisational support; benefits to students; perceived benefits to patients themselves; and wider benefits to medical education and educators. CONCLUSION: Patient perceptions of their involvement in clinical teaching support their key intended role within the educational process. Patients identified perceptions of benefit for students, educators and themselves. The implications of these findings are explored within the context of educational practice.
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Patients described a strong sense of having a meaningful contribution and personal fulfilment from their involvement in medical education.
“Patients described a strong sense of having a meaningful contribution and personal fulfilment, because they were teaching patient-centredness,24 72 offering their body and authenticity, bolstering students’ confidence,72 fulfilling their responsibility to the broader community24 32 and improving the healthcare system.24 33 40”
From Role of active patient involvement in undergraduate medical education: a systematic review (2020) · cites this paper as [72]
Patients described that they were teaching patient-centredness.
“because they were teaching patient-centredness,24 72”
From Role of active patient involvement in undergraduate medical education: a systematic review (2020) · cites this paper as [72]
Patients described bolstering students' confidence.
“bolstering students’ confidence,72”
From Role of active patient involvement in undergraduate medical education: a systematic review (2020) · cites this paper as [72]
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- Authors
- Lucas, B., & Pearson, D.
- Affiliations
- University of Leeds (GB)
- Hull York Medical School (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Lucas, Beverley
- Venue
- Education for Primary Care
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2012-01
- Volume
- 23
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 277-285
- ISSN
- 1473-9879 (ISSN-L)
- 1475-990X
- OpenAlex
- W189805155
- Cited by
- 33
- References
- 23
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 3 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 1
- FWCI
- 1.85
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Education for Primary Care (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Innovations in Medical Education
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Empathy and Medical Education
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Patient-Provider Communication in Healthcare
- Keywords
- patient involvement in medical education, patient perspectives, undergraduate medical education, clinical teaching, patient role
- MeSH terms
- Clinical Competence, Education, Medical, Undergraduate, Humans, Learning, Patients, Perception, Patient Satisfaction, Patient-Centered Care, General Practice
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