SOBREEXPOSICIóN DE LOS PACIENTES EN HOSPITALES DOCENTES: LA EXPERIENCIA EN UN SERVICIO DE MEDICINA

introduction: practical training in medicine at hospitals has led to an overpopulation of students and, oftentimes, to patient exhaustion. the authors believe professors in a clinical environment face a conflict of interests: respect for the patient's condition versus teaching. it is suggested that a climate conducive to learning and discovery of the person behind each set of clinical symptoms can be created if students and teachers know how they are perceived by patients. objectives: to understand the reaction students provoke in patients and to indicate whether there is a prudent maximum amount of interviews per patient. a cohort of patients at a medical service facility was interviewed. the results of those interviews indicate: 1) patients identify the student-patient relationship as one of mutual benefit; 2) they believe the limit on interviews should be set by each patient, 3) patients know they can refuse to cooperate; and 4) doing so does not predispose them negatively. conclusions: 1) the opportunity to interview a patient, or not, is determined by the patient. 2) it is essential to seek informed consent in teaching. 3) the teacher's role is that of an active observer of the student-patient duo, promoting the virtues of coexistence among students and intervening if due trust or confidentiality are compromised.