The Integrative Care Conference: An Innovative Model for Teaching at the Heart of Communication in Medicine

Abstract

Background: By focusing on the biomedical aspects of a disease, physicians often dismiss the emotional effect that patients have on them and the stories that provide meaning to the patients' experience with illness. This approach often leads to strained relationships, medical errors, and dehumanized health care. Description: We describe the Integrative Care Conference, an interdisciplinary format for teaching enhanced communication between residents and their patients. Evaluation: Three findings emerged: (a) The gap between what the resident knows about the patient and what is relevant to the patient's health care is wide. (b) Despite this gap, patients express great appreciation for their physician. (c) After learning about their patients' life and relationships, residents developed more humanistic approaches to their patient that reshaped treatment. Conclusions: The Integrative Care Conference provides a powerful format for teaching patient–physician communication.