Patient Understanding and Perception of Urology Resident Training, Role, and Capabilities

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Medical Education
• Patient Experience

Background:

• Patient understanding of urology residents' roles is often limited.
• This knowledge gap can negatively impact the patient experience.
• Improving patient comprehension is crucial for effective healthcare delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess patient understanding of urology residents.
• To evaluate patient comfort levels when treated by residents.
• To propose educational objectives to bridge the knowledge gap and enhance patient experience.

Main Methods:

• A prospective survey was administered to patients from September to October 2022.
• A patient knowledge about residents (KAR) score was developed (maximum 5 points).
• Patient opinion of residents was assessed using Likert scale questions (range 3-19).

Main Results:

• 88 surveys were completed; average patient age was 62.7 years.
• Patients with prior resident interaction had higher KAR scores (3.59 vs. 2.38, P < .0001).
• Higher education levels correlated with increased KAR scores (graduate-level 3.79, P = .002); patient opinion was not significantly impacted by tested variables.

Conclusions:

• Patient understanding of urology resident roles is currently suboptimal.
• Educational interventions are needed to improve patient knowledge of resident physicians' contributions.
• Enhanced patient understanding can lead to a better overall clinical care experience.