Medical students' perceptions of bedside teaching

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Clinical Teaching
• Physician Training

Background:

• Bedside teaching is a vital component of medical education, traditionally led by consultants.
• Junior doctors are increasingly involved in bedside teaching, with their contributions gaining recognition.
• Previous research explored student satisfaction and perceptions of clinical teachers in bedside teaching.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare medical students' perceptions of bedside teaching delivered by junior doctors versus consultants.
• To identify specific student preferences and expectations regarding bedside teaching quality.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire was emailed to all third-year medical students at Keele University.
• Student responses were collected anonymously to ensure candid feedback.
• The study analyzed student comfort levels and perceptions of teachers' attributes.

Main Results:

• 73.3% of respondents felt more comfortable with bedside teaching from junior doctors compared to consultants.
• Consultants were perceived as more challenging by 60% of students.
• Students valued feedback, information validity, and the overall educational experience equally, irrespective of the teacher's grade.

Conclusions:

• Student preference for junior doctors does not diminish the perceived value of teaching by consultants.
• Junior doctors are seen as more aligned with the curriculum, while consultants are viewed as more knowledgeable and demanding.
• Effective bedside teaching hinges on the clinical teacher's approachability, enthusiasm, and ability to provide structured feedback, rather than their seniority.