scholarly journals Cultivation of humanistic values in medical education through anatomy pedagogy and gratitude ceremony for body donors

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaihua Guo ◽  
Tao Luo ◽  
Li-Hua Zhou ◽  
Dazheng Xu ◽  
Guangming Zhong ◽  
...  

Abstract Background One of the most important objectives of modern medical education is to empower medical students to become humanistic clinicians. Human anatomy plays a crucial role in this mission by using cadavers to cause reflections on death, dying, illness, and the role of medical practitioners in humanistic care. The objective of this study was to introduce, describe, and evaluate the impact of a ceremony in honor of the body donors on ethical and humanistic attitudes of medical students. Methods We used a phenomenological research approach to explore and understand the lived experiences of the anatomy teachers as they teach anatomy in the context of humanism and ethics. A separate survey of third-year medical students was carried out to understand their perceptions of changes in themselves, respect for donors and donor families, and their relationship with patients. Data were collected in two phases: a desktop review of teaching materials followed by in-depth interviews of the main anatomy teachers followed by a self-administered, 5-item Likert scaled questionnaire given to students. Results In the present article, we describe the rituals conducted in honor of body donors at our School of Medicine. We also describe the lived experiences of anatomy teachers as they work on improving humanistic education quality through the introduction of the concept of “silent mentor” which refers to a cadaver that quietly allows medical students to learn from it. In turn, a ceremony in honor of body donors who have altruistically donated their bodies so that learning anatomy through dissection would be possible is also introduced. A survey of the impact of the ceremony in honor of body donors on medical students revealed positive responses in terms of promoting studying anatomy (3.96 Vs 3.95) as well as reflections on own death (4.44 Vs 4.35), the life of body donors (4.07 Vs 4.04), and how to humanely view future patients and their significant others (4.32 Vs 4.24) relative to those that did not attend the ceremony (5-item Likert scale). The majority of the students that attended the ceremony also indicated that it had a positive impact on their future doctor-patient relationship, thinking about the possibility of donating their body for teaching as well as about medical ethics. Most of them also think that attending the ceremony helped reduce their anxiety, fear, and disgust of seeing corpses or dissecting and 90% insisted that memorial ceremonies should continue being conducted at Zhongshan Medical School. Conclusion The combination of the anatomy component of the basic medical curriculum and gratitude ceremonies as well as activities to promote body bequeathal programs might help to accomplish the goal of cultivating high-quality medical students and professionals for the future. The long-term benefits would be a medical graduate who exudes empathy, relates well with patients and their significant others, leading to a productive doctor-patient relationship.

1970 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-69
Author(s):  
PR Shankar ◽  
V Malhotra

Nepal is a favored trekking destination. Over the years a number of trekking styles have emerged and the author sees similarities between trekking styles and methods of medical education. Problem-based learning strategies make students more involved in their own learning and teachers act as facilitators. Trekkers and medical students mostly concentrate on the immediate trail or different subjects and are able to obtain an integrated and holistic view only occasionally. The nature of the doctor-patient relationship is changing with patients wanting to play a more active role in their treatment. Workers in the trekking industry and doctors slowly rise through the ranks. Often people take up jobs with more responsibilities and challenges which pay better. Technology has invaded both trekking and healthcare and most of the money is made by middlemen. In addition to other areas medicine is focusing on preparing patients for the final exist Key Words: Problem-based learning; doctor-patient relationship; medicine. DOI: 10.3126/jcmsn.v6i1.3607 Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2010, Vol. 6, No. 1, 67-69


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Kligler ◽  
Genevieve Pinto Zipp ◽  
Carmela Rocchetti ◽  
Michelle Secic ◽  
Erin Speiser Ihde

Abstract Background Inclusion of environmental health (EH) in medical education serves as a catalyst for preparing future physicians to address issues as complex as climate change and health, water pollution and lead contamination. However, previous research has found EH education to be largely lacking in U.S. medical education, putting future physicians at risk of not having the expertise to address patients’ environmental illnesses, nor speak to prevention. Methods Environmental health (EH) knowledge and skills were incorporated into the first-year medical school curriculum at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (Nutley, New Jersey), via a two-hour interactive large group learning module with follow up activities. Students completed the Environmental Health in Med School (EHMS) survey before and after the year 1 EH module. This survey evaluates medical students’ attitudes, awareness and professionalism regarding environmental health. In year 2, students completed the Environmental Health Survey II, which measured students’ perceptions of preparedness to discuss EH with future patients. The research team created both surveys based upon learning objectives that broadly aligned with the Institute of Medicine six competency-based environmental health learning objectives. Results 36 year 1 students completed both the pre and post EHMS surveys. McNemar’s test was used for paired comparisons. Results identified no statistically significant changes from pre to post surveys, identifying a dramatic ceiling. When comparing year 2, EHS II pre-survey (n = 84) and post-survey (n = 79) responses, a statistically significant positive change in students’ self-reported sense of preparedness to discuss environmental health with their patients following the curriculum intervention was noted. Conclusions Our conclusion for the EHMS in Year 1 was that the current generation of medical students at this school is already extremely aware of and concerned about the impact of environmental issues on health. Through the EHS II in Year 2, we found that the six-week environmental health module combining didactic and experiential elements significantly increased medical students’ self-reported sense of preparedness to discuss environmental health issues, including climate change, with their patients.


2021 ◽  
pp. postgradmedj-2021-140032
Author(s):  
Michail Papapanou ◽  
Eleni Routsi ◽  
Konstantinos Tsamakis ◽  
Lampros Fotis ◽  
Georgios Marinos ◽  
...  

COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly disrupted the well-established, traditional structure of medical education. Τhe new limitations of physical presence have accelerated the development of an online learning environment, comprising both of asynchronous and synchronous distance education, and the introduction of novel ways of student assessment. At the same time, this prolonged crisis had serious implications on the lives of medical students including their psychological well-being and the impact on their academic trajectories. The new reality has, on many occasions, triggered the ‘acting up’ of medical students as frontline healthcare staff, which has been perceived by many of them as a positive learning and contributing experience, and has led to a variety of responses from the educational institutions. All things considered, the urgency for rapid and novel adaptations to the new circumstances has functioned as a springboard for remarkable innovations in medical education,including the promotion of a more “evidence-based” approach.


2005 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 223-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Doshi ◽  
Nick Brown

Recent developments in medical education and in UK government policy for the training and service commitment of junior doctors have highlighted the need to examine clinical teaching. There is growing evidence of the effectiveness of more structured approaches to patient-based teaching. The scope of what can be taught includes the three domains of knowledge, skill and attitudes. There are proven models to deliver teaching not only of patient assessment and management but also of all aspects of the doctor–patient relationship. The application of patient-based teaching is entirely consonant with the rigours of the outcome-based approach to curriculum planning and delivery. The successful, thoughtful adoption of patient-based teaching is part of the ‘professionalisation’ of education in psychiatry that in turn begs questions about the learning, accreditation and reward of those involved as teachers at all levels.


BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S342-S342
Author(s):  
Anu Priya ◽  
Hardev Bhogal

AimsTo evaluate feedback from Balint style case based discussion groups and to reflect on learning points.We have three medical students from Sheffield University on six week psychiatry placements at Bassetlaw Hospital and we get eighteen students in a year. In order to further develop their approach towards reflection and their understanding towards the doctor patient relationship we developed the Balint style case based discussion group, and each group of students attend three sessions during their placement.MethodThe groups are held on a weekly basis and consist of the three medical students and 1-2 facilitators. As the group is small one of the facilitators may participate with the students for the Balint process and to help encourage the students. Following completion of the third session of the discussion group we gain written feedback from the students. A total of 17 feedbacks have been reviewed over the period of November 2018 -November 2019.Result16 students stated that this was their first experience at Balint Group and all except one student felt that they were given a good introduction about Balint groups before starting. When asked about the most significant thing that they have learnt in the group, the majority of students marked reflecting feelings to improve relationships with patients, exploring why they feel a certain way with patients and that the doctor patient relationship can affect the consultation.One student stated that they would not recommend it to colleagues as they felt it was relevant more to doctors rather than medical students. Another student recommended having more people in a group.ConclusionOverall, it has been a positive experience with the medical students during the groups and with feedbacks. We have reflected on difficult topics like bereavement, fantasized about the purpose of a patient's delusion and shared the joy of a patient who was discharged after a long stay. While we think we have been able to teach the students some tips on reflection, we ourselves have been able to reflect on certain topics we would not have if not raised by the students. Some medical students have contacted the larger Balint Group in Sheffield for further sessions. Considering our experience, we will continue with the sessions at Bassetlaw Hospital.


Somatechnics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-111
Author(s):  
Jen Rinaldi ◽  
Kate Rossiter

Frequently missing from histories of forced institutionalisation are close readings of the enduring impact on survivors' corporeality. In this article the authors analyse interview data featuring people who survived the Huronia Regional Centre: a total institution designed to warehouse people with intellectual disabilities that operated in Canada from 1876 to 2009. These interviews reveal the impact of institutional technologies on the bodies of the institutionalised, and how institutional survivors resisted those technologies. Institutional rituals meant to organise and cleanse residents, resulted in the reification of institutional subjects as inescapably contaminated. Drawing from Mary Douglas's theory of dirt and Julia Kristeva's interpretation of dirt as abjection, the authors engage with interview data on daily institutional care routines, particularly dressing, eating, showering, and the administration of medication, to show how these rituals produced for the institutionalised subject meanings around gender and disability as markers of defilement. The authors argue that the kinds of deeply oppressive and often violent rituals central to lived experiences of institutionalisation are grounded in the assumption that disabled gendered bodies are already-abject, hence the institutional demand for the institutionalised to be brought under control.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 363.3-364
Author(s):  
Hannah Costelloe ◽  
Alice Copley ◽  
Andrew Greenhalgh ◽  
Andrew Foster ◽  
Pratik Solanki

Evidence demonstrates that medical students have limited experience in developing ‘higher-order communication skills’ (Kaufman et al. 2000). Anecdotally many do not feel confident in their ability to conduct difficult conversations often due to a lack of exposure to such scenarios in practice or a pervasive notion that these scenarios are inappropriate for students and beyond the scope of a junior doctor’s role and thus not a focus of curriculums (Noble et al. 2007). There is however a correlation between level of clinical experience and improved confidence for medical students (Morgan and Cleave-Hogg 2002).We surveyed a group of final year medical students to assess their confidence using a 10-point Likert scale in tackling common palliative and end of life care scenarios. Our intervention comprised a study day of 10 practical small-group teaching simulation and OSCE-style stations designed to provide exposure to common experiences in a controlled setting. We reassessed the confidence of students after delivery and objectively explored the impact of the day by asking participants to complete a validated assessment before and after the course. All results showed significant improvement on t-testing: confidence in end of life communication in an OSCE setting improved by 42.2% and assessment marks improved by 24.7% (p=0.039).Palliative care is an area in which students approaching the end of undergraduate training feel underprepared. Our findings demonstrate that small group sessions improve confidence by facilitating communication practice in a controlled environment and providing crucial exposure to common palliative care scenarios they will face as doctors.References. Kaufman D, Laidlaw T, Macleod H. Communication skills in medical school: Exposure confidence and performance. Academic Medicine [online] 2000;75(10):S90–S92. Available at https://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/Fulltext/2000/10001/Communication_Skills_in_Medical_School__Exposure.29.aspx [Accessed: 30 May 2018]. Morgan P, Cleave-Hogg D. Comparison between medical students’ experience confidence and competence. Medical Education [online] 2002;36(6):534–539. Available at https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2923.2002.01228.x [Accessed: 30 May 2018]. Noble L, Kubacki A, Martin J, Lloyd M. The effect of professional skills training on patient-centredness and confidence in communicating with patients. Medical Education [online] 2007;41(5):432–440. Available at https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2929.2007.02704.x [Accessed: 30 May 2018]


Author(s):  
Joanna Lauren Drowos ◽  
Sarah K Wood

One vital goal of medical education is to promote the development of desirable professional qualities among future physicians, such as compassion, empathy, and humanism. Future physicians must finish their training prepared to meet the changing health needs of society, yet in reality many students graduate from medical school more cynical and less empathetic than when they began. During clinical clerkships, many students experience an “ethical erosion” as they transition in to real world clinical settings. Through innovative longitudinal integrated curricular designs focusing on continuity, medical students participate in the comprehensive care of patients over time and have continuous ongoing learning relationships with the responsible clinicians. As patients place increasing importance on the doctor-patient relationship, learning models that foster stronger connections between medical students and their patients, as well as with their teachers and communities, are needed in order to better prepare the next generation of physicians to serve a changing health care system.


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