Primary Topic:
Curriculum design and development
Secondary Topic:
Teaching, learning, and assessment
Nurturing the Next Generation of Healers
Julie McKee, MD; Victor Sierpina, MD; Julian Jimenez, BA, , Galveston, TX, United States
Late Breaker: No
Overview
The Physician Healer Track (PHT) is a 4 year longitudinal curriculum designed to help students maintain the altruistic spirit that brought them to medical school. The 4 pillars of PHT are: Wellness, Mindfulness, Communication and Being with Suffering. Enthusiasm for this work has resulted in about 25% of incoming students enrolling in PHT. It is our hope that PHT helps students weather medical training with an increased sense of efficacy and resilience. Preliminary data suggest that we are succeeding.
Rationale
Students come to medical school in order to help people. They matriculate as bright, energetic and altruistic individuals. The standard medical school curriculum focuses heavily on basic and clinical sciences which teach how to fix patients. This curriculum has long been associated with decreased wellbeing, diminished empathy and increased burnout. The PHT helps students gain skills in personal reflection, communication, wellness, mindfulness and being a healing presence for those who are suffering. It is our hope that PHT helps students weather medical training with an increased sense of efficacy and resilience. Preliminary data suggest that we are succeeding.
Objectives
Participants will be able to:
Methods/Session Format
Session Format:
Introduction and Curricular Overview: 15 min
Student Perspective: 20 min
Data: 15 min
Experiential Activity: 15 min
Questions: 10 min
Outline
1. Overview of Curriculum
A. Topics and format of monthly evening small group meetings
B. Topics and experiential activities for the 2 month summer preceptorship
C. Topics and experiential activities for the senior elective
D. Required and optional readings
2. Student Perspective
A. Why did you sign up for this in the first place?
B. What have you learned that has been helpful?
C. What has been most difficult for you on this journey?
D. How do you see this affecting you in the future both personally and professionally?
3. Data
A. Results of data collected from students about the curricular content
B. Results of data collected about impact on personal life
C. Results of data collected about professional development
4. Experiential Activity
A. Perception and Your "To Do List"