Attending Physician Perceptions of the Benefits and Disadvantages of Teaching Medical Students on Clinical Clerkships at a Regional Medical Campus

BACKGROUND: North American medical schools are now creating regional medical campuses (RMCs) to train more physicians to meet the healthcare needs of rural and underserved populations. Part-time and volunteer faculty must be recruited and retained to teach medical students engaged in clinical experiences at these RMCs. Physician educators report being positively motivated by the presence of medical students but also report increased time constraints. There is a paucity of information regarding the impact on attending physicians of teaching medical students at RMCs. The aim of this study was to investigate the benefits and disadvantages for attending physicians at a rural regional medical campus on having medical students on their services during clinical rotations. METHODS: An online questionnaire was sent to 62 Kansas University School of Medicine-Salina (KUSM-S) clinical faculty members that supervised third and/or fourth year medical students in clinics and/or the hospital. Physicians were queried as to the benefits and disadvantages of supervising medical students. RESULTS: Thirty-six physicians completed the survey, yielding a response rate of 58%. The majority of respondents felt positively about having medical students on their service: 92% of respondents enjoyed having medical students in clinic/hospital, 81% agreed that having a medical student working with them was personally beneficial, and 72% agreed that the presence of medical students increased their job satisfaction. Fifty-six percent of respondents reported that having medical students with them in the clinic/hospital decreased the number of patients they were able to see and that additional incentive would encourage them to remain a teaching faculty member. CONCLUSIONS: Attending physicians at KUSM-S report that they enjoy having medical students on their service and that it increases job satisfaction; however, teaching medical students is time consuming and may decrease productivity. Adequate financial compensation for physician teachers at RMCs may be necessary to ensure successful delivery of the educational product.