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Incorporating Humanities into the Surgical Curriculum. Karen J. Brasel MD, Amy J. Leisten BA , Robert Treat PhD, Brian Lewis MD, Cynthianne Morgenweck MD, Bruce Campbell MD, Nancy Havas MD, Julia Uihlein MA, Arthur R. Derse MD, JD Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI. Background.
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Incorporating Humanities into the Surgical Curriculum Karen J. Brasel MD, Amy J. Leisten BA, Robert Treat PhD, Brian Lewis MD, Cynthianne Morgenweck MD, Bruce Campbell MD, Nancy Havas MD, Julia Uihlein MA, Arthur R. Derse MD, JD Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI
Background • Loss of empathy during medical school • Reflective experiences concentrated in nonprocedural clerkships or electives
Background • July 2009, students on the surgical clerkship were creative option in lieu of 25% of required histories and physicals. • Requirement: relate to something the student experienced during the clerkship. • Students shared their projects at the end of the rotation and completed evaluations of the creative session.
Objective • To analyze the impact of the creative option on student performance.
Methods • Project themes were categorized using a grounded theory approach. • Residency specialty choice was categorized as procedural/nonprocedural. • ANOVA was used to determine effect on clerkship grades. • specialty choice • participation in project
Results • 388 students during 3 year period • 143 students participated in creative project • No participation difference by rotation or year • 300 non-procedural
Results--Format • poems • additional writing forms • mixed media • baked goods • performances • painting/drawing
Results--Themes • anatomy and physiology • specific procedures • patient as person • student role • death • physician responsibilities • reflection on career choice • surgery as a specialty
Results Soap and WaterThe first scrub is best,peeling open the sponge whilea high-pitched rush of watersplashes into the stainless sink.My mind empties, meditative,counting rapid brush strokesunder every nail, over every plane.The bristles are soft and harsh, simultaneously.This is the cleanest I feel all day.
Results--Specialty *Mean score differences determined by two-factor (specialty x project) ANOVA *No statistically significant interaction between specialty and project
Results--Project After accounting for specialty choice, NO differences in any outcome by project participation
Results—Survey evaluation • Offered learning not included in the standard curriculum: • to better see their patients as whole persons—79% strongly agree • to learn something new or important about themselves--72% strongly agree • to learn something new or important about their patients--63% strongly agree • Overwhelming agreement that the creative option should be continued (94%).
Summary • Clerkship experience for a wide variety of students • First experience with death • Creative option provides a valuable learning experience • Positively reviewed by students • No impact on overall grade