Students' comfort level in treating vulnerable populations and future willingness to treat: results prior to extramural participation

Raymond A Kuthy; Michelle R McQuistan; Katharine J Riniker; Keith E Heller; Fang Qian

doi:10.1002/j.0022-0337.2005.69.12.tb04029.x

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Students' comfort level in treating vulnerable populations and future willingness to treat: results prior to extramural participation

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Students' comfort level in treating vulnerable populations and future willingness to treat: results prior to extramural participation

Raymond A Kuthy, Michelle R McQuistan, Katharine J Riniker, Keith E Heller and Fang Qian

Journal of dental education, Vol.69(12), pp.1307-1314

12/2005

DOI: 10.1002/j.0022-0337.2005.69.12.tb04029.x

PMID: 16352766

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Abstract

This study analyzed senior dental students' perceptions prior to extramural rotations for comfort and future willingness to treat patients with special needs and other vulnerable groups. The sample included 690 University of Iowa senior dental students who graduated from 1992 through 2004. These students completed a questionnaire concerning twelve vulnerable population groups. Logistic regression models were performed, using student comfort and future willingness to treat each group as the dependent variable. There was a wide percentage of range of comfort with these groups, yet there was no individual group that more than 60 percent of these students were willing to treat in their future practices. Generally, prior experience with the group had a positive impact on comfort level. When gender was included in the regression models, male students were more likely to express comfort. In all instances except one, experience had a positive influence on perceived future willingness to treat the associated group. However, younger graduates had a greater willingness to treat. When controlling for other variables within the future willingness to treat models, comfort was statistically significant only for HIV+/AIDS and non-English speaking groups. This study provides insight about comfort with and perceived future willingness to treat special needs and other vulnerable patient groups.

Attitude of Health Personnel

Homebound Persons

Poverty

Age Factors

Disease

HIV Seropositivity

Attitude to Health

Humans

Homeless Persons

Male

Frail Elderly

Vulnerable Populations

Iowa

Ethnic Groups

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Dentists - psychology

Mental Disorders

Sex Factors

Female

Aged

Substance-Related Disorders

Students, Dental - psychology

Cohort Studies

Details

Title: Subtitle: Students' comfort level in treating vulnerable populations and future willingness to treat: results prior to extramural participation
Creators: Raymond A Kuthy - University of Iowa College of Dentistry, N336 DSB, Iowa City, IA 52242-1010, USA. raymond-kuthy@uiowa.edu
Michelle R McQuistan
Katharine J Riniker
Keith E Heller
Fang Qian
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of dental education, Vol.69(12), pp.1307-1314
Publisher: United States
DOI: 10.1002/j.0022-0337.2005.69.12.tb04029.x
PMID: 16352766
ISSN: 0022-0337
eISSN: 1930-7837
Grant note: T32 DE 14678 / NIDCR NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 12/2005
Academic Unit: Preventive and Community Dentistry; Public Policy Center (Archive); Dental Research
Record Identifier: 9983917671202771

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