Teaching in a new key: effects of a co-taught seminar on medical students' attitudes toward schizophrenia.

In order to examine the effect of a consumer and professional co-taught seminar on recovery in persons with schizophrenia, fourth year medical students completed attitudinal surveys at the beginning and end of their 7-week rotation in psychiatry. Analysis of results comparing average change in scores in a group exposed to the seminar (n = 24) and a control group not exposed (n = 10), shows measurable change in some survey items indicative of attitudinal change. Such a teaching format may provide a broader perspective on the long term issues for persons with schizophrenia. This can serve to counter the limitations of the brief exposure students receive to hospitalized patients in the most debilitating phase of the illness. The co-teaching model may provide a new and balanced perspective for medical students, facilitating a more holistic understanding of patients and countering a possible overemphasis on diagnosis. Such a format could have application in teaching psychiatric residents, nurses, and other health professionals.