Background: The limited exposure to clinical medicine during the first two years of school, in addition to the rapid rotations within clinical clerkships, does not allow for students to form a true patient-doctor relationship until at least residency. Exposure to this relationship early will better prepare students for their careers as physicians.
Methods: We have created a self-guided, student-centered program in which students are able follow a gynecological oncology patient over the course of their surgeries, clinic visits, and radiation or chemotherapy treatments. Students were given a pre and post program questionnaire to assess their development and attitudes towards longitudinal patient care and were also required to document their visits and personal observations for each time they saw their patient.
Results: By the end of the program students became familiar with gynecological oncology but also gained valuable personal insight. They saw firsthand what their patients were experiencing not only from a medical education standpoint, but also from an interpersonal one. Students were also able to assess outside factors in cancer treatment such as family support, patient adherence, and empathy within a medical setting.
Discussions: Should a greater emphasis be placed on patient care within the first two years of medical school? Could this be instituted within the existing basic science curriculum? Students who participated in this program said that they believe they are better prepared for clerkships due to the unique experiences gained without this program.
Keywords: Oncology, Longitudinal, Relationships
Topics: CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting, 2016, Student, Faculty, Clerkship Director, Osteopathic Faculty, Patient Care, Medical Knowledge, Professionalism, UME, Independent Study, Public Health, Advocacy, Gynecologic Oncology,
David Brinkman, Texas Tech Health Science Center School of Medicine; Sarah Hosford, MD
