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What can students learn from studying medicine in literature?
Author(s) -
Hampshire Amanda J,
Avery Anthony J
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
medical education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.776
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1365-2923
pISSN - 0308-0110
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2923.2001.00969.x
Subject(s) - affect (linguistics) , psychology , medical education , clinical practice , medline , medicine , family medicine , communication , political science , law
Objective To identify what students can learn from studying medicine and literature as part of a final‐year special study module in general practice. Method The project reports and evaluation forms completed by all eight students who had chosen to study medicine and literature as part of their special study module in general practice at Nottingham University Medical School were analysed qualitatively. Results Students said that they gained a greater understanding of the patient’s experience of illness, as a result of the texts they had read. They learned how illness can affect family or friends of the patient and about the psychological impact of physical illness. Most students thought their future care of patients would be influenced by what they had learned. Studying medicine in literature during a clinical attachment allowed students to draw comparisons between literature and their clinical experience. Discussion This study is based on a small number of students who chose to study medicine in literature. The results may not be generalizable to all medical students and not all students may be receptive to this method of learning. However, we recommend that students who are interested should be given the opportunity to study medicine in literature during their clinical years. This can enable them to reflect on their clinical experience and can provide a more profound understanding of the consequences of illness for the patient and their family.