scholarly journals Beyond Broca’s area

2019 ◽  
Vol 98 (4) ◽  
pp. 238-240
Author(s):  
David A. Ross ◽  
Andrew M. Novick

Patients with psychiatric illness often present a unique challenge to medical students: in contrast to some medical conditions, in which patients may seem to be stricken by a disease, patients with certain psychiatric illnesses may seem complicit with the illness. Questions of free will, choice, and the role of the physician can quickly become overwhelming. This may result in students feeling helpless, disinterested, or even resentful. Here we argue that integrating a modern neuroscience perspective into medical education allows students to conceptualize psychiatric patients in a way that promotes empathy and enhances patient care. Specifically, a strong grasp of neuroscience prevents the future physician from falling into dualistic thinking in which the psychosocial aspects of a patient’s presentation are considered beyond the realm of medicine. The value of incorporating neuroscience into a full, biopsychosocial formulation is demonstrated with the case example of a “difficult patient.”

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 327-330
Author(s):  
Andrew M. Novick ◽  
David A. Ross

SUMMARYPatients with psychiatric illness present a unique challenge to clinicians: in contrast to the traditional medical model, in which patients are conceptualised as being stricken by a disease, patients with certain psychiatric illnesses may seem complicit in the illness. Questions of free will, choice and the role of the physician can cause clinicians to feel helpless, disinterested or even resentful. These tensions are a lasting legacy of centuries of mind–body dualism. Over the past several decades, modern tools have finally allowed us to break down this false dichotomy. Integrating a modern neuroscience perspective into practice allows clinicians to conceptualise individuals with psychiatric illness in a way that promotes empathy and enhances patient care. Specifically, a strong grasp of neuroscience prevents clinicians from falling into the trap in which behavioural aspects of a patient's presentation are perceived as being separate from the disease process. We demonstrate the value of incorporating neuroscience into a biopsychosocial formulation through the example of a ‘difficult patient’.


Author(s):  
Zhisong Zhang ◽  
Kaising Sun ◽  
Chonnakarn Jatchavala ◽  
John Koh ◽  
Yimian Chia ◽  
...  

Background: In psychiatry, stigma is an attitude of disapproval towards people with mental illnesses. Psychiatric disorders are common in Asia but some Asians receive inadequate treatment. Previous review found that Asians with mental illness were perceived to be dangerous and aggressive. There is a need for renewed efforts to understand stigma and strategies which can effectively reduce stigma in specific Asian societies. The objective of this systematic review was to provide an up-to-date overview of existing research and status on stigma experienced by psychiatric patients and anti-stigma campaigns in China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Korea, and Thailand. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in the following databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, Web of Science, and local databases. Studies published in English and the official language of included countries/territories were considered for inclusion in the systematic review. Any article on stigma related to any form of psychiatric illness in the six Asian societies was included. Results: One hundred and twenty-three articles were included for this systematic review. This review has six major findings. Firstly, Asians with mental illnesses were considered as dangerous and aggressive, especially patients suffering from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder; second, psychiatric illnesses in Asian societies were less socially-acceptable and were viewed as being personal weaknesses; third, stigma experienced by family members was pervasive and this is known as family stigma; fourth, this systemic review reported more initiatives to handle stigma in Asian societies than a decade ago; fifth, there have been initiatives to treat psychiatric patients in the community; and sixth, the role of supernatural and religious approaches to psychiatric illness was not prevailing. Conclusion: This systematic review provides an overview of the available scientific evidence that points to areas of needed intervention to reduce and ultimately eliminate inequities in mental health in Asia.


Author(s):  
A. Ashok Kumar

The contribution of ophthalmologists is inevitable for visually challenged patient care and to eradicate unnecessary blindness in this society. Other than the academic focus of the medical students, the importance of continuing medical education (CME) for doctors in all disciplines, including ophthalmology, is a well-known factor to enhance their day-to-day clinical practices. The role of electronic and online resources in academic curriculum of medicine and CME is acceptable and inexorable among the user community worldwide. In the last several years, many research studies have focused on how people use electronic resources or on their feelings about electronic and online resources in various fields. In this study, the researcher analyzed the electronic resources usage among the ophthalmologists which indirectly supports their day-to-day clinical practices and serves the society against blindness. The results of the study show that the respondents have an average level of e-resources usage skills, particularly on awareness about many available e-resources.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Kohlert ◽  
N. Scherer ◽  
S. Kherani ◽  
L. McLean

LearnENT, an educational app for iOS, was developed to promote a standardized experience otolaryngology in head and neck surgery (OTOHNS) for University of Ottawa medical students. Its development was grounded in pedagogical theory including Laurillard’s design process, Honey and Mumford’s learning styles, and Nielsen’s theory of usability. This paper examines LearnENT's design and development processes as well as the role of mobile apps in medical education. Features of the LearnENT app as they apply to Constructivist learning are also highlighted.


1970 ◽  
Vol 117 (541) ◽  
pp. 635-643 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard W. Hudgens ◽  
Eli Robins ◽  
W. Bradford Delong

Physicians and patients frequently assume a causal connection between life events and subsequent episodes of psychiatric illness. It seems to ‘make sense’ that an illness which is to some extent manifested by disordered emotions could be caused in part by emotion-producing events. But plausibility alone is no proof of the truth of such an assumption. Realizing this, several investigators have conducted systematic studies of the interrelationships of life events and illnesses, both psychiatric and medical. Such work has been reported by Adamson and Schmale (1), Holmes, et al. (3, 7, 9, 10) Brown and Birley (2) Clayton, et al. (4) Morrison, et al. (11) Murphy, et al. (12, 13) and Hudgens, et al. (8). These authors differed regarding the specific question of whether illnesses may be caused by emotion-producing stress. The first six of the above papers presented positive evidence for such a cause-effect relationship. The last four papers reported that psychiatric patients had significantly more interpersonal conflicts than did well persons or medically ill persons, at least while their psychiatric illnesses were in progress; but the latter authors were unable to find evidence that any type of stress, interpersonal or otherwise, played a causative role in the illnesses. Disagreements among all these workers may be traced to differences in both theoretical approach and methodology.


BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S125-S125
Author(s):  
Debakanta Behera ◽  
Ji Yen Ku

AimsThird year Medical students from the International Medical University, Malaysia were assessed regarding their commonly held attitudes and beliefs for the mental illness in general as well as with respect to psychiatry as a faculty through a survey monkey based survey,BackgroundCommonly held perceptions and prejudices often can be overcame by education and early exposure to facts which also holds true with medical students and their attitude as well as expectations to psychiatry. Ever growing awareness regarding the Mental illness has helped but is unable to complete address the stigma and prejudices associated with it. Also Early exposure to psychiatry in medical education can provide a positive experience to medical students including germinating an interest in psychiatry as a career choice among the students.Method42 students of 3rd and 4th year medical school from International Medical University, Malaysia, some without any exposure to psychiatry, were participated in a survey created on a cloud based online survey link and responded to a questionnaire about the attitude and belief towards mental Illness as well as Psychiatry as a career choice. The results were analysed and data interpreted.ResultMost students (85%) though agreed that psychiatry is a rapidly expanding frontier of medicine sadly only 20% stated that it would be one of the top three career choice. Just under the 50% of the students stated that the psychiatric patients are more likely to harm others. About 95% felt that psychiatric consultations of patients with medical and surgical health problems would be helpful and 90% students shared that they would not feel embarrassed about someone from their family if diagnosed with mental illness.ConclusionPsychiatric exposure in medical education has been recognised as inadequate in general and often exposing medical students to psychiatry early helps improving the stigma and prejudices associated with mental illness. It will also give them sufficient exposure to assess the illness holistically keeping mental health in mind while treating physically ill people and also may inspire them to choose psychiatry as a career choice in a rapidly developing and conservative country such as Malaysia where mental health services are largely inadequate and is the second biggest health issue.


Author(s):  
Anne P. George ◽  
Elise E. Ewens

In the age of COVID19, the ultimate question in healthcare became who was essential and who was not. Basically, who could be cut from the roster in patient care? Unfortunately, as medical students, many of us did not make that cut, and as rotations were continually evolving and changing, students from even the same institution had varying experiences. Third-year clerkships are defined by the direct patient care and hands-on learning students get, but in the age of COVID19, “hands-on learning” has been a bit hard to come by. Hence, COVID has caused many changes in the way medicine is being taught and practiced. This article will detail the experiences of two medical students from the same institution, working in different locations for their third-year clerkships. We contrast our rural and urban experiences as students in the time of COVID and display the varying experiences students are having during this time. We touch on the potential ramifications for these wide varieties of experiences from students across the U.S. and how this will affect sub-internships and residency applications. 


Author(s):  
Arthur L. Frank

This chapter considers the role and value of the study of the humanities in medical education. Most authors on this subject believe the study of the humanities results in a better physician. However, few papers document this almost universally accepted idea. This chapter cites the available literature on the subject and also considers how the study of the humanities has become more common in countries beyond the United States. The study of the humanities is thought to improve physician communication and to influence ethical behaviors, ultimately improving patient care.


2020 ◽  
Vol 93 (1112) ◽  
pp. 20200380 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Chew ◽  
PJ O’Dwyer

Objective: Rising clinical demand and changes to Radiologists’ job plans mean it is becoming ever more difficult for Radiologists to teach medical students. The aim of this study was to assess the current role of Radiologists in undergraduate medical education in Scotland. Methods: Consultant Radiologists working across all 14 Scottish Health Boards were invited by email to participate in an anonymous short online survey. The survey ran for 6 weeks from November 2019. One reminder email was sent a week before the survey closed. Results: 102 responses were recorded, representing 34% of the total whole time equivalent Radiologists in Scotland. All agreed Radiology should be taught to medical students. Over 70% (n = 73) taught medical students, most often during supporting professional activity time. 76 percent of Radiologists who did not teach expressed a desire to do so. The most common barrier to teaching was not having enough time in their job plan. Scottish Radiologists delivered a median of 10 h (IQR 0–22) a year of teaching to medical students. Thematic analysis of free comments revealed staffing/time constraints severely limiting ability to teach. Conclusion: This is the first national survey to assess the current role of Radiologists in teaching medical students. While most are teaching or want to teach, there is a large drop-off between current Scottish and previously reported UK median teaching hours. Engagement from Universities, Royal College of Radiologists and Health Boards is urgently needed to reverse this trend. Advances in knowledge: This is the first national survey into the current role of Radiologists in undergraduate medical education. There is a large drop-off between current Scottish and previously reported UK median teaching hours.


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