The doctor, the patient: a first-year course for personal and professional growth.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Medical education has tended to focus primarily on the biomedical aspects of care while neglecting the human side of patients and students. To help students become aware of student, patient, and family issues that may impact the doctor-patient relationship, a first-year course was developed.

METHODS

This course consists of 12 didactic sessions and 10 small-group meetings led by family medicine faculty. Topics include self-assessments, analysis of videotaped doctor-patient interactions, genogram development, and family systems. Students have evaluated the course for content, strengths, weaknesses, and impact.

RESULTS

This course was highly rated by the students. The students reported gaining insight into personal issues that might impact their interaction with patients. Students also became aware of the importance of family issues to their patients' health and well-being.

CONCLUSIONS

Through courses like this, students may gain deeper insight into issues that impact them, their patients, and the doctor-patient relationship.