The doctor, the patient: a first-year course for personal and professional growth.
OBJECTIVE
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.
Davies
S M
SM
Department of Family and Community Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, USA.
Davies
T C
TC
Rutledge
C M
CM
D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011361:Professional Competence