Accepted Type
Oral
Code
OG3-2-2
Acceptance Declaration
Accept
Was this work accepted for CCME 2020?
no
Category
General Call (Workshop, Oral Presentation, Poster Presentation)
Type
Oral
Sub Type
Education Research
Will the presenter be a:
Other
Presenter Other
Faculty (8 years in practice)
Affiliation
Considered for Poster
yes
Title
Exploring Patient Mistreatment of Medical Trainees
Length of Presentation
Background/Purpose
Mistreatment is defined as the intentional or unintentional behavior that shows disrespect for the dignity of others and unreasonably interferes with the learning process. Patient mistreatment of medical trainees is not well described in the literature. We sought to determine whether patient mistreatment of medical trainees occurs and how trainees manage these experiences. Our goal was to provide insights that can shape institutional responses to trainee mistreatment by patients
Methods
Qualitative semi-structured interviews of medical students at a large medical school in North America were conducted using a constructivist grounded theory approach. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and de-identified. Two separate researchers coded the transcripts iteratively for themes and theoretical categories
Results
Ten trainees (mean age 25, 70% male, 80% visible minority) participated in the pilot study. Eight trainees had personally experienced patient mistreatment and two had witnessed patient mistreatment of another trainee. Trainees described being mistreated based on gender and ethnicity, and physical harm was threatened in two cases. All were aware of the institution's official reporting mechanism for mistreatment. Patient screening, patient education, resident/attending advocacy, modelling professional responses, and debriefing were all identified as helpful responses and prevention strategies
Conclusion
Patient mistreatment of medical trainees in this data occurred and often it was women and visible minorities who were targeted. Medical schools must proactively structure mechanisms to support trainees who experience patient mistreatment
Keyword 1
Mistreatment of medical trainees
Keyword 2
Cultural and gender sensitivity
Keyword 3
Doctor/patient relationship
Level of Training
Undergraduate
Abstract Themes
Additional Theme (First choice)
Physician & Medical Student Health and Well-being
Additional Theme (Second Choice)
Professionalism
Additional Theme (Third Choice)
Faculty Development
Authors
Presenter
Amanda Hu
Term 1
Yes
Term 2
Yes
Term 3
Yes
Term 4
Yes
Term 5
Yes
