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Abstract Background Despite the common practice of involving in-patients in the teaching of medical students little is known about the experience for patients. This study investigated inpatients' willingness, motivations and experience with participation in medical student bedside teaching. Methods In-patients at a tertiary hospital who participated in medical student teaching answered a 22 question survey. The survey examined the motivations, impact and overall experience for these patients. Results During July and August of 2019, 111 patients aged 19–93 years completed the survey. Most patients who were approached by preceptors to participate in teaching agreed to participate (74%). Ninety-six percent of patients felt like they could have said no if they had not wanted to participate in medical student teaching. Ninety percent of patients valued the time they spent with students. Conclusions Most hospital inpatients are willing to participate in medical student teaching in order to be helpful, and most have a positive experience. Preceptors in undergraduate medical education should prioritize a quality informed consent process and understand that the teaching experience can be mutually productive for patients and students.