In Which Scenarios Do Preceptors and Students Agree, Disagree, or Remain Neutral About Learner Mistreatment?

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Professionalism in Medicine
• Healthcare Professional Training

Background:

• Learner mistreatment is a significant issue in medical education, with nearly half of graduating students reporting such experiences.
• Existing research indicates varied opinions on mistreatment behaviors among trainees, potentially impacting reporting and policy development.
• Few studies have directly compared student and preceptor perceptions of mistreatment using specific interactional scenarios.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and compare the perceptions of medical students and their preceptors regarding learner mistreatment.
• To identify specific types of behaviors that are viewed differently by students and preceptors as mistreatment.
• To analyze the extent of agreement and disagreement between these two groups on mistreatment scenarios.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to 141 medical students and 203 preceptors at an MD-granting institution.
• Participants rated their agreement on a 5-point scale whether 17 written vignettes depicted learner mistreatment.
• Descriptive statistics and bivariate tests were used to compare student and preceptor responses.

Main Results:

• Student and preceptor views on mistreatment converged for 12 out of 17 vignettes.
• Students were more likely to identify being called by the wrong name or public embarrassment as mistreatment.
• Preceptors were more likely to consider terms of endearment or denial of opportunities based on career choice as mistreatment. Preceptors also reported neutral responses more frequently.

Conclusions:

• Perceptions of learner mistreatment between medical students and preceptors are inconsistent.
• Discrepancies highlight potential gaps in understanding and addressing mistreatment, including differing neutral response rates.
• Further research is needed to establish shared definitions and targeted interventions for both students and preceptors to combat mistreatment.