Understanding chronic illness: a curriculum using nonmedical literature.

This is a report on the development of a curriculum designed to meet the need to teach residents a caring model of medicine for effective management of the growing chronically ill population. A central unifying theme in this curriculum is the use of nonmedical literature, specifically Heartsounds, to provide a common experience and focus for discussion. The goal of the curriculum is to help residents increase their understanding of the meaning of chronic illness to the patient, family, and physician. Objectives and a structured conference series are described, including the use of nonmedical literature as required reading. Long-term evaluation of the effect of the curriculum on attitude and behavior is in progress.