Journal of Regional Medical Campuses

Attending Physician Perceptions of the Benefits and Disadvantages of Teaching Medical Students on Clinical Clerkships at a Regional Medical Campus

William Cathcart-Rake

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24926/jrmc.v1i2.1286

Keywords: attending physician satisfaction, regional medical campus, medical students

---

Abstract

BACKGROUND: North American medical schools are now creating regional medical campuses (RMCs) to train

more physicians to meet the healthcare needs of rural and underserved populations. Part-time and volunteer

faculty must be recruited and retained to teach medical students engaged in clinical experiences at these

RMCs. Physician educators report being positively motivated by the presence of medical students but also

report increased time constraints. There is a paucity of information regarding the impact on attending

physicians of teaching medical students at RMCs. The aim of this study was to investigate the benefits and

disadvantages for attending physicians at a rural regional medical campus on having medical students on their

services during clinical rotations.

METHODS: An online questionnaire was sent to 62 Kansas University School of Medicine-Salina (KUSM-S)

clinical faculty members that supervised third and/or fourth year medical students in clinics and/or the

hospital. Physicians were queried as to the benefits and disadvantages of supervising medical students.

RESULTS: Thirty-six physicians completed the survey, yielding a response rate of 58%. The majority of

respondents felt positively about having medical students on their service: 92% of respondents enjoyed having

medical students in clinic/hospital, 81% agreed that having a medical student working with them was

personally beneficial, and 72% agreed that the presence of medical students increased their job satisfaction.

Fifty-six percent of respondents reported that having medical students with them in the clinic/hospital

decreased the number of patients they were able to see and that additional incentive would encourage them

to remain a teaching faculty member.

CONCLUSIONS: Attending physicians at KUSM-S report that they enjoy having medical students on their

service and that it increases job satisfaction; however, teaching medical students is time consuming and may

decrease productivity. Adequate financial compensation for physician teachers at RMCs may be necessary to

ensure successful delivery of the educational product.