title: A patient-led educational program on Tourette Syndrome: impact and implications for patient-centered medical education.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Graduate medical education about Tourette Syndrome does not typically focus on understanding the perspectives and perceptions of individuals with the condition.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Explore the impact of patient-centered, patient-led education programs on participant knowledge and empathy for patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-nine medical residents and students at five training sites in New Jersey attended patient-led presentations. Results were obtained using a pretest-posttest design assessing physician empathy, using the 10 perspective-taking items from the Jefferson Scale of Empathy. Additional understanding of residents' experience was obtained by analyzing participant generated reaction statements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A factorial ANOVA (pretest, Posttest × Gender × Specialty) revealed a significant increase (p < .05) from total pre-presentation scores to total post-presentation scores indicating that participants endorsed a more empathic view following the patient-led presentation. Participant statements revealed themes concordant with the practice of patient-centered medicine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Providing patient-led educational presentations to medical residents can increase physician empathy, increase knowledge of Tourette Syndrome, and support the advancement of patient-centered medical education.
authors.affiliation: a New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders, Inc. , Somerville , New Jersey , USA.
authors.forename: Kirsten L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kurlan
authors.forename: Jamye Shelton
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Pelosi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003479:Curriculum; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000379:methods*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009515:New Jersey; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D005879:Tourette Syndrome; D055815:Young Adult