Is there a difference in the perception of outpatient clinic teaching, between medical students and teachers'? A mixed method study

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. Background: Outpatient clinic teachingis an important part of undergraduate medical student's experience. Increasing pressure from service commitments has meant that limitations to the learning process have continued to surface. Previous studies have looked at satisfaction level of all involved; however no studies have examined whether the limitations are perceived differently between students and teachers in a real life setting. Method: A mixed method project including on-line questionnaires, focus group and interviews with ninety two participants. This was conducted in a local university hospital. Teachers and students were asked about teaching styles undertaken and limitations during clinics. They were also asked about how to improve the learning process during outpatient clinics. Results: Teachers and students agree that seeing patients under supervision is the ideal teaching style during clinics. Both groups agree that time and space, are the obvious limitations to outpatient teaching. Advanced planning, however, and teachers' attitude toward teaching have also been rated highly from students' perspective. Conclusion: Common themes emerged between students and teachers regarding outpatient teaching. Reducing patient numbers seems the ideal solution. Given the increasing service demands in the current climate, it was perceived that improving communication before and after clinics between students and teachers who are interested in teaching could positively influence learning in this setting.