title: 'Soft and fluffy': medical students' attitudes towards psychology in medical education.
abstract: Psychology is viewed by medical students in a negative light. In order to understand this phenomenon, we interviewed 19 medical students about their experiences of psychology in medical education. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Four main themes were generated: attitudes, teaching culture, curriculum factors and future career path; negative attitudes were transmitted by teachers to students and psychology was associated with students opting for a career in general practice. In summary, appreciation of psychology in medical education will only happen if all educators involved in medical education value and respect each other's speciality and expertise.
authors.affiliation: University of Limerick, Ireland stephen.gallagher@ul.ie.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gallagher
authors.affiliation: University of Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.affiliation: University of Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Yoga
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nathan
authors.affiliation: University of Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Deirdre
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McGrath
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D002321:Career Choice; D003479:Curriculum / Q000592:standards*; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011584:Psychology; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: attitudes; behavioural and social science; graduate entry students; psychology