Patient experiences of participation in a medical student teaching workshop. (2nd January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Watts, Laura; Mcpherson, Tess; Robson, Joanna; Rawlings, George; Burge, Susan
• Is Part Of: Medical teacher. Volume 37:Number 1(2015)
• Page Start: 94
• Page End: 96
• Publication Date: 2015-01-02
• Subjects: Medical education -- Periodicals; 610.711
• DOI: 10.3109/0142159X.2014.947946
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0142-159X

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives : To investigate the motivations for and experiences of patients who actively participate in a workshop to teach medical students about chronic disease. Design : Descriptive study using structured telephone or e-mail-based questionnaire exploring the views of 'patient tutors' who participate in a 'living with chronic disease' workshop. Participants : 'Patient tutors' with a chronic medical condition who had participated in at least one 'living with chronic disease' workshop for medical students at Oxford University Medical School. Results : Patient motivating factors can be divided into two groups, direct benefits such as companionship or improved knowledge of their condition, and a teaching role involving an altruistic desire to give something back, and wanting to educate the doctors of the future. Importantly, most patients participated multiple times over a number of years despite no remuneration for their time other than expenses. Conclusions : Patients appear highly motivated to educate medical students about chronic disease, due to a combination of personal benefits and an altruistic desire to 'give something back'. This suggests that they present an invaluable and currently undermobilized resource for the future of medical education.