Exploring Mistreatment of Medical Students by Patients: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

PurposeMistreatment of medical students by patients has not been qualitatively explored in the literature. The authors sought to develop a rich understanding of the impact and consequences of medical students' experiences of mistreatment by patients. MethodThis exploratory descriptive qualitative study was conducted at a large Canadian medical school from April-November 2020. Fourteen medical students were recruited for semistructured interviews. Students were asked about their experiences of mistreatment by patients and how they responded to these experiences. Transcripts were thematically analyzed using an inductive approach, and the authors interwove critical theory into their conceptual interpretation of the data.

How to … bring a JEDI (justice, equity, diversity and inclusion) lens to your research

“…For example, in LN and NRJ's research into student mistreatment by patients, the team wrestled with interpretations of data that represented racism and sexism. 20 NRJ and another co-author, who identify as visible minorities, brought rich insights to this data interpretation from their own lived experiences and social positions. Wyatt et al…”

Responding to Patients and Society in Distress

“…8,17,18 The formative impact of such interactions on trainees is yet to be fully understood, as noted by Hu et al, but certainly threatens individual and workforce wellbeing. 1 Thus the story of my mother's experience also serves to underscore the importance of safety in the health care and learning environment and also the importance of mutual support, respect, and gentleness amongst colleagues. Reaffirming our commitment to our professional values may go far in restoring trust in the health professions on a societal scale.…”

“…In a report 1 appearing in this issue of our journal, Hu et al explore the experience of mistreatment of medical students by patients in the learning environment in a qualitative study involving 14 student volunteers enrolled at a large Canadian medical school. The students describe numerous negative encounters with patients-none of which were formally reported to the administration-in which they were mistreated.…”