[Stereotypes of medical students about different social groups]

Introduction: Knowledge and prejudices of medical students regarding marginalised patient groups can influence their interactions with patients. Objective: The perceptions of medical students from the point of view of which social groups they would be less likely to accept as patients. Method: Medical students of the University of Szeged completed a voluntary, anonymous questionnaire (n = 410) in 2021, which included several groups of questions (sociodemographic characteristics, family background, career choice motivations, shaping of medical identity, future professional plans, working during university; warmth and competence, social distance, own experiences among 19 social groups). Results: Students were least likely to meet abusers, vaccine deniers and prisoners in their future work. Female medical students were more reluctant to meet abusers, while their male counterparts homeless, alcoholic, AIDS and psychiatric patients, and senior students the vaccine denial group and AIDS patients. Their experiences with different social groups also varied widely. Most of them personally knew Romani people, drug users, psychiatric patients and alcoholics. In clinical practice, they encountered Romani people, alcoholics and psychiatric patients the most. During their education, they heard most often about vaccine deniers, alcoholics, Romani people, homeless people, AIDS patients. Discussion: Overall, the students were accepting patients from different social groups. However, their personal and educational experiences behind their prejudices were very diverse. Conclusion: It would be important to strive to meet and get to know different social groups during university studies in behavioural sciences and public health as well as during clinical work, so that students can learn to communicate with them appropriately. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(48): 1912–1919.