Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the attitudes of first and sixth grade students of the medical faculties of Pamukkale (MFPU) and Marmara (MFMU) universities regarding patient-physician relationship. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 377 students using a questionnaire which included a validated form of Patient Practitioner Orientation Scale (PPOS). The PPOS was adapted into Turkish resulting in 14 items and two sub-scale scores of “sharing” and “caring” (PPOS-T). We compared mean total and subscale PPOS-T scores. Results: MFPU first grade students’ total and caring scores were higher than MFMU first grade students’ same scores (p=0.010). Sixth grade students of MFMU had higher total and caring scores than the first grade students (p=0.003 for total score; p=0.000 for caring score). In total, the entire female students’ sharing and caring PPOS-T scores were higher when compared to that of males (p=0.000). The students who had a physician parent had higher total, sharing and caring scores compared to students who had no physician parents (p=0.001). Conclusion: Our results reveal that MFPU first grade students were more patient oriented than MFMU first grade students which might be affected by different education models besides social factors. On the other hand, MFMU sixth grade students were more patient oriented than MFMU first grade students. This result might be due to the formal and informal (hidden curriculum) education supporting the patient-oriented attitudes in the MFMU. 

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the attitudes of first and sixth grade students of the medical faculties of Pamukkale (MFPU) and Marmara (MFMU) universities regarding patient-physician relationship. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 377 students using a questionnaire which included a validated form of Patient Practitioner Orientation Scale (PPOS). The PPOS was adapted into Turkish resulting in 14 items and two sub-scale scores of “sharing” and “caring” (PPOS-T). We compared mean total and subscale PPOS-T scores. Results: MFPU first grade students’ total and caring scores were higher than MFMU first grade students’ same scores (p=0.010). Sixth grade students of MFMU had higher total and caring scores than the first grade students (p=0.003 for total score; p=0.000 for caring score). In total, the entire female students’ sharing and caring PPOS-T scores were higher when compared to that of males (p=0.000). The students who had a physician parent had higher total, sharing and caring scores compared to students who had no physician parents (p=0.001).Conclusion: Our results reveal that MFPU first grade students were more patient oriented than MFMU first grade students which might be affected by different education models besides social factors. On the other hand, MFMU sixth grade students were more patient oriented than MFMU first grade students. This result might be due to the formal and informal (hidden curriculum) education supporting the patient-oriented attitudes in the MFMU