GPs think fee-paying patients are less likely to accept student teaching in consultations

“There is an implication that private, fee-paying patients may be more inclined to be litigious in the event of an adverse outcome associated with teaching, and that these patients may choose to obtain their general practice care elsewhere if they are imposed on,” Dr Nancy Sturman from the University of Queensland said.

“These perceptions are likely to influence GPs’ decisions to seek patient consent for active student learning,” Dr Sturman said.

There is no evidence indicating whether fee-paying GP patients have more or less positive views about teaching than bulk-billed or public hospital patients. However, a United States study found no significant difference between patient income and patient consent rates, Dr Sturman said.

“The extent of the ‘teaching burden’ on patients is difficult to assess in the absence of evidence about patient health outcomes in relation to teaching, but both patients and doctors report that student presence in consultations may be inhibiting,” Dr Sturman said.

“Further Australian general practice research into private patient attitudes might challenge these GP perceptions.

“If many of these patients are in fact willing for greater involvement than that anticipated by the GP, both patients and students may be frustrated by the loss of teaching opportunities.”

The Medical Journal of Australia is a publication of the Australian Medical Association.

The statements or opinions that are expressed in the MJA  reflect the views of the authors and do not represent the official policy of the AMA unless that is so stated.

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