What educators and students really think about using patients as teachers in medical education: a qualitative study

Medical educators interviewed by Jha et al believed there was a role for patients in assessing whether students made them feel at ease and whether students asked the right questions.

“Medical educators interviewed by Jha et al believed there was a role for patients in assessing whether students made them feel at ease and whether students asked the right questions.66”

Some faculty members expressed their experiences of working with patient assessors and course developers as tokenistic.

“Some faculty members expressed their experiences of working with patient assessors and course developers as tokenistic.66”

Faculty in the study by Jha et al were not clear on how to involve patients more fully in assessments or course development, nor were they convinced of the appropriateness of doing so.

“Faculty in the study by Jha et al were not clear on how to involve patients more fully in assessments or course development, nor were they convinced of the appropriateness of doing so.”

Jha et al pointed out that active patient involvement by itself demonstrates an equal partnership.

“Jha et al pointed out that active patient involvement by itself demonstrates an equal partnership66”

Some faculty educators were concerned that patient stories might be so traumatic that students would require support or debriefings to deal with the resulting emotions.

“Some faculty educators were concerned that patient stories might be so traumatic that students would require support or debriefings to deal with the resulting emotions.66 71”

Jha et al described the patient as providing an illustration of the theory in practice, thus enhancing students' understanding and recall.

“Jha et al described the patient as providing an illustration of the theory in practice, thus enhancing students’ understanding and recall.66”

Staff members expressed the concern that the impact of the patient experience might be reduced if the same patient was involved in the same programme too often.

“In a different study, staff members expressed the concern that the impact of the patient experience might be reduced if the same patient was involved in the same programme too often.66”

Medical educators commented that if patient educators were paid and seen as an employee of the medical school, they might take on the role more seriously and become more reliable, as well as being seen as a respected part of the educational team.

“Medical educators commented that if patient educators were paid and seen as an employee of the medical school, they might take on the role more seriously and become more reliable, as well as being seen as a respected part of the educational team.66”