Validation of a questionnaire exploring patient attitudes towards bedside teaching

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Patient Experience
• Questionnaire Development

Background:

• Bedside teaching (BST) is crucial for medical education but has declined due to patient concerns.
• A validated questionnaire is needed to understand patient attitudes towards BST.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a questionnaire assessing patient attitudes towards bedside teaching.
• To identify factors influencing patient willingness to participate in BST.

Main Methods:

• Followed international guidelines for questionnaire development, including literature review, patient interviews, expert validation, and pilot testing.
• Employed statistical analyses such as exploratory factor analysis, internal consistency, and discriminant validity.
• Collected data from 401 patients across various demographics and clinical areas.

Main Results:

• A two-factor solution emerged: 'Educate medical professionals' and 'Conditions for participation', with good internal consistency.
• Patient support for BST was high (over 92%), independent of age or education.
• Patients who opted-in for teaching showed higher endorsement of the 'Educate medical professionals' subscale.

Conclusions:

• Extensive patient support for bedside teaching exists, driven by a desire to educate.
• Medical schools can leverage this patient willingness to enhance BST programs.
• Future research may explore virtual bedside teaching modalities.