Obstetric patients' assessment of medical students' role in their care.

Obstetric patients at the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont who received care from medical students during a clinical clerkship rated the skills and assessed the roles of students in their care. The distribution method for the questionnaire selected for patients with favorable attitudes toward medical student care. The students' skills and attitudes were generally ranked high, with lower ratings given for the "ability to answer questions" and "preparation to participate in care." Eight-three percent felt the student improved their care in the hospital, primarily in a variety of supportive ways. Although generalizations to all patients are limited by the sampling design of the study, such information should prove valuable in explaining the role of medical students to patients entering teaching hospitals and encouraging patients to accept students in their care.