Patients as teachers? An evaluative study of patients' involvement in classroom teaching

The aim of this study was to evaluate the participation of patients in classroom-based teaching within a pre-registration programme. The rationale for the research was based on the view that utilizing patients as active participants in teaching and learn ing experiences allows nurses to gain valuable insight into the patient's perspective by developing a more patient-centred approach to identifying their perceived problems. The study involved three patients and 23 students in the adult branch of their Di ploma in Professional Studies in Nursing (DPSN). Questionnaires were used to elicit responses from students about their experiences of being involved in patient-focused teaching sessions. Case study design is used to describe the organization and involve ment of patients. The findings suggest that involving patients in classroom teaching is an effective teaching strategy for enhancing the teaching and learning experiences of nurses, as well as having positive effects on participating patients. The discus sion raises a number of practical and ethical issues relating to the utilization of patients in classroom teaching. © 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.