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

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: 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. AIM: The aim of this study was to explore patients' attitudes towards reintroduction of BST as the pandemic restrictions have lifted. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.