Residents exposureto patientes and their participation in the examination is essential for thelearning of colorectal surgery specialty. Patients may be reluctant to haveresidents present in outpatient colorectal clinics. This study evalueted patients'attitudes towards resident' s involvement in an outpatient colorectal clinicof a private institution.
METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients answered voluntarily and anonymouslya questionnaire after the physical examination with the involmement of residents.The examination consisted of anal inspection, palpation, anoscopy, rigid proctosigmoidoscopyand abdominal examination. Age, gender, race, marital, educational and socialstatus were evaluated, as well as the patients' attitudes towards resident'sinvolvement in the outpatient setting. The reasons for acceptance or refusalof resident' involvement werw also evaluated. For statistical analysis the [chi]2os Fisher test and t Student test were used.
RESULTS: The acceptance rate of residents during the rectal examinationwas 87 per cent and the refusal rate was 1 per cent. Eleven per cent reportedtha resident's involvement was indifferent for them and 1 patient did not answerthis question. There was no significant difference among the studied variablesregarding resident's involvement, except for the marital status, since marriedpatients accepted the resident better than single patients. The main reasonfor acceptance was cooperatin for medical training, while for refusal was lossof privacy.
CONCLUSION: Patients accept resident's involvement during rectal examinationin outpatient setting. Knowledge of the reasons for their acceptance and refusalby patients may emphasize positive attiyudes in order to improve this acceptanceand minimize the refusal.
