Willingness of Patients and Their Companions Participating in Clinical Teaching: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of active patients and their involvement in medical education; learn about their motivations, needs, and experiences in participating in medical teaching; and explore the reasons for the differences in their attitudes toward medical education. Method: Patients who were hospitalized in our institution from July 2019 to June 2022 and their companions were recruited, and they participated in a medical lesson in which they were taken a medical history and physical examination. Information on their willingness during the lesson was collected through self-designed questionnaires. The questionnaire results were then analyzed by SPSS software. Results: Valid questionnaires from 349 patients and their companions were collected for analysis. There are differences in the motivation and participation in clinical teaching of patients and their companions. In general, companions have a more negative attitude toward clinical teaching. Patients participating in clinical teaching generally enjoy communication with interns. In addition, the level of education is also an influencing factor for patients and their companions to participate in clinical teaching activities. Discussion: Patients and their families choose teaching hospitals for more standard and advanced care but not for clinical teaching. Nonetheless, clinical teaching engagement and effectiveness could be significantly improved by improving trainee behavioral patterns to screen patients for specific characteristics.