Informed Consent in Clinical Training: Perspectives from Medical Students and Faculty in Portugal

Data de publicação: 01/09/2024 Data Ahead of Print: 11/09/2024

Autores da FMUP

• Cristina Maria Nogueira Da Costa Santos

  Autor

• Rui Manuel Lopes Nunes

  Autor

• Ivone Maria Resende Figueiredo Duarte

  Autor

Participantes de fora da FMUP

• Moreira, CF
• Moreira, BF

Unidades de investigação

• Laboratório Associado RISE- Rede de Investigação em Saúde

  

  Investigador

  Fernando Carlos De Landér Schmitt

• Medicina da Comunidade, Informação e Decisão em Saúde

• RISE-Health

  

  Investigador

  Fernando Carlos De Landér Schmitt

Abstract

The student-patient relationship represents the cornerstone of medical education, shaping future doctors' knowledge, skills and attitudes. While most patients allow student involvement in their care, some may express discomfort. Thus, obtaining explicit consent is essential to respect patients' right of autonomy. This study mainly aims to assess the practical application of informed consent by medical students and teachers regarding students' presence and participation in patients' care. An observational cross-sectional study was performed, and an online questionnaire was given to students and teachers at a single medical school, via institutional email. The study included 289 participants, namely 232 students and 57 teachers. While 81% of teachers reported always asking the patient's consent for students' presence, only 28% of students claimed this to be the case. Despite challenges like overcrowding and limited time, involving students in healthcare benefits both students and patients. Moreover, medical ethics education is crucial to foster compassionate care and promote ethical reasoning. The disparities found between teachers' practices and students' perspectives highlight the need to intervene and provide them with an adequate education on ethical values in clinical practice. Strategic interventions at institutional levels are required for a simultaneous high quality of patient care and clinical training.

Keywords

• informed consent; patients' consent; clinical training; medical students; medical teachers; medical education; medical ethics