Live Patient Encounters: A Perspective From Second-Year Medical Students

Background Interactive patient cases have been shown to be a valuable resource in medical education. Previous studies have demonstrated that using patients as teachers can help students improve clinical reasoning and have educational benefits; however, there is limited research on student feedback on patients as teachers. The objective of this study is to evaluate second-year medical students' (MS2s) perceptions of patient encounters during the teaching of the Skin and Musculoskeletal System Course (BMS 6635). Methods A retrospective descriptive study on prospectively maintained survey data was performed. Following course completion, MS2s were surveyed on their experience from four to five live patient encounters at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine from 2016-2022. The interactive cases involved patients with dermatologic, autoimmune, and musculoskeletal diseases. All MS2s enrolled in BMS 6635 were included. Statistical analysis was performed on survey responses to students' perceptions of live patient encounters. Results Seven hundred surveys were completed following the interactive patient encounters. Ninety percent of participants answered that they enjoyed the cases, 92% agreed the cases were an appropriate learning experience for their education, and 76% agreed the cases helped with material retention. From 2016 to 2022, there was a slight decrease in enjoyment in the cases over time (97%, 88%, 93%, 94%, 86%, 81%, p<.001, respectively), and student agreement that patient cases were an appropriate learning experience in their education (98%, 92%, 94%, 95%, 93%, 84%, p=.001, respectively), but overall remained greater than 80% satisfaction. Conclusions Patient cases are perceived to be a valuable educational resource by second-year medical students and therefore should be integrated in medical curricula. Students enjoyed patient cases, believed they had an educational benefit, and perceived they aided in material retention.