Personal health care of residents: preferences for care outside of the training institution. Acad Psychiatry 2008;32(1):20-30
Date
02/14/2008Pubmed ID
18270277DOI
10.1176/appi.ap.32.1.20Scopus ID
2-s2.0-41649101876 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 26 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVE: The personal health care issues of residents are important but have received minimal study. Available evidence suggests that residents experience difficulties obtaining care, partly related to both the demands of medical training and concerns about confidentiality and privacy.
METHODS: A self-report survey was distributed in 2000-2001 to advanced residents at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center. Questions related to personal health and health care attitudes, behaviors, preferences, and experiences, and vignettes related to personal illness and treatment. Here the authors report findings regarding preferences for obtaining health care "at" versus "outside" of one's training institution.
RESULTS: Data from 141 residents are presented. A substantial minority of residents had obtained care outside of their institution in the preceding year. Residents expressed concerns about their medical privacy and confidentiality related to obtaining care within their own institution, including concerns about being seen by other residents or by past or future attendings. Women expressed more concern than did men on numerous issues, as did residents in primary care versus specialty training. Residents expressed a preference for care outside the training institution when taking into account confidentiality and prevention of embarrassment; care at their own institution was preferred when considering expense and scheduling. Outside care was more strongly preferred for more stigmatizing illnesses (e.g., mental health-related). Most residents felt poorly informed regarding their personal health care confidentiality rights and did not know whether their institution had confidentiality policies regarding residents who develop physical or mental health problems.
CONCLUSION: Residents worry about confidentiality and privacy when deciding where to obtain personal medical care. Trainees' concerns are relevant to crafting policies on resident health care. Programs should strive to inform residents thoroughly about policies and rights pertaining to personal health care.
Author List
Dunn LB, Moutier C, Green Hammond KA, Lehrmann J, Roberts LWAuthor
Jon A. Lehrmann MD Chair, Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Academic Medical CentersAdult
Choice Behavior
Education
Female
Humans
Internship and Residency
Male
Mental Disorders
Primary Health Care
Student Health Services
Surveys and Questionnaires
