Patients' attitudes to bedside teaching after the COVID-19 pandemic

Bedside teaching (BST) is a method of structured clinical teaching where the patient is central in education. We had previously explored the patients' perceptions of BST using both a qualitative research study and validation of a questionnaire, both showing strong support by patients for BST once basic rules of respect and confidentiality are followed. With the COVID-19 pandemic, clinical education transitioned to online/virtual learning.

The aim of this study was to explore patients' attitudes towards reintroduction of BST as the pandemic restrictions have lifted.

Patients were invited to complete a validated questionnaire exploring their attitudes towards BST. A descriptive analysis was performed. Results were compared to a previous study performed before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Four hundred patients consented to complete the questionnaires. Participants included women attending for antenatal (40%), postnatal (33%) and gynaecology issues (28%). Most patients (> 94%) reported that they were happy to be involved in BST. Patients believed that they should not be asked to participate in BST should they feel stressed or unwell (69%). These findings were the same as our previous study, performed prior to the pandemic.

This study shows extensive and persisting patient support for BST. BST is unique in that it allows students to gain a deeper understanding of the disease which are hard to elicit through online/virtual methods.