Schwartz Communication Curriculum
This curriculum is designed to teach first and second year medical students to acquire and to improve their skills in effective communication with patients and family members. The developing curriculum consists of several 3-hour sessions in the 2-year Doctoring Course. The components of each session include the following: 1. Entire class: Introduction of goals of session (e.g., the importance of communication and professionalism); short videos showcasing examples of communication; demonstration of role play of physician-patient consultations 2. Small group session: 2-3 role plays of case by students followed by faculty and student feedback and further discussion of case 3. Entire class reconvenes and discusses case and experience of role play led by expert panel consisting of chaplain, hospital social worker and 1-2 faculty physicians Products associated with this curriculum consist of an introduction and description of the first program and an evaluation form used for that session, as well as a faculty guide that provides goals and guidance for presenting the curriculum. Additional products will be listed as the curriculum develops.
The overall objective is to teach pre-clinical students the central importance of effective communication between physicians and their patients and family members.
- Students learn to develop and maintain empathy through communication skills.
- Students develop professionalism as they learn to utilize basic and necessary components of questioning and listening skills with patients and family members.
- The use of role play provides effective opportunity for practice in a safe small group setting.
The faculty guide explicitly notes the teaching points to be made in the communication session. It lists questions for discussion based on the session's case, readings and videos. It also describes the components of an effective role play: how to coach each student role player to inhabit their role and play their part, and provides guidance for successful critique and discussion.
Students are assigned readings and videos related to communication principles prior to the Doctoring session. Citations for suggested reading and viewing materials:
- Schwartz, K. B. (1995, July 16). A patient’s story. The Boston Globe.
- Delbanco, T., & Augello, T. (2006). When things go wrong: Voices of patients and families [DVD]. Cambridge, MA: CRICO/RMF. (Available from http://www.rmf.harvard.edu/education-interventions... or contact Alison O'Brien, [email protected], 617.679.1500, ext. 1299.)
- Goldman, J., & Schapira, L. (2001). One story, two voices; A candid conversation between a cancer patient and her oncologist [DVD]. Both DVDs are also available from The Schwartz Center. Contact them at (617) 724-7576 or by email: [email protected].