Views of patients admitted to professorial units of Colombo North Teaching Hospital, regarding issues related to personal space and privacy during clinical training in of medical students

Abstract

Introduction: Medical students acquire clinical competency through training in wards. Cooperation of patients is the key for successful clinical training. In Sri Lanka, most patients are supportive towards medical students. However, it is importantly to the know feelings of patients about their personal space and privacy been invaded by students. Objectives: To describe how patients admitted to professorial units of North Colombo Teaching Hospital feel about their personal space and privacy been invaded by medical students during clinical training. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between 11.01.2021 to 25.01.2021, involving 384 patients. Stratified sampling according to the percentage of admissions to each unit, was employed to select the study population. Patients were asked about their feelings during interactions with medical students. Data collection was via telephone interviews, using an interviewer administrated questionnaire. Results: There were 51.8% females and 48.2% males. 86.9% had no concerns about students asking their personal information. 83.5% felt comfortable about students observing, when doctors examined them. 82.03% did not feel embarrassed when genitalia were examined by a student of the same gender, but when it was the opposite gender, only 67.71% felt comfortable. 88.02% didn’t mind a student’s performing clinical procedures, if supervised by an experienced person. Only 75.78% felt comfortable with medical students assisting during surgeries. Conclusions: Attitude of most patients was positive towards medical students. However, some had concerns about students performing procedures, assisting surgeries and examining genitalia. It is important for students to respect the personal space and privacy of patients.