A course, ‘The Human in Medicine’, as an example of a preclinical medical humanities program: A summary of 7 years

Abstract

Background: This article is based on the experience with ‘The Human in Medicine’ (HIM) courses that had been a part of the preclinical program of the Marmara Medical School.

Aim: The evaluation of the HIM course in terms of its efficacy and the impressions of the students.

Methods: Three groups of data were collected: (a) Students’ feedbacks about the courses, (b) HIM final scores and (c) a thematic/content analysis of randomly selected students’ reports. Stratified random sampling was used to select student reports for qualitative analysis. Content and thematic analyses were carried out by two researchers independently.

Results: In general, the HIM program was evaluated as moderate or above moderate by 60–80% of the students. Content and thematic analysis of student reports showed that there was a rich variety in individual definitions, descriptions of causal relationships and suggestions for possible solutions about themes medicalization and stigmatization. Student reports on the case were analysed in concordance with psychologic and social parameters.

Conclusion: As a conclusion these results showed that program goals were mainly achieved and the multidisciplinary, preclinical HIM program can be seen as efficient starting point to complement the biologic perspective of medical education with a social and humanistic perspective.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mehmet Alı Gülpinar

MEHMET ALI GÜLPINAR, MD and PhD, assistant professor, instructional designer in the Department of Medical Education of the Marmara University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.

Mehmet Akman

MEHMET AKMAN, MD and MPH, working as instructor of Family Medicine at Family Medicine Department, Marmara Medical School, Istanbul, Turkey. He has experience in teaching communication skills, Medical Humanities and clinical skills.

İncı User

İNCI USER, PhD, associate professor, Faculty of Science and Letters, Department of Sociology, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey.