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Introduction to Being a Physician

Content Lead
Jason Chang, MD
Assistant Professor
Department of Emergency Medicine
changjs2@upmc.edu

Content Lead
Amanda Brown, MD
Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics
amanda.brown@chp.edu

Course Description

This course acquaints incoming medical students to what it means to be a physician, with an emphasis on the patient experience with chronic disease and their experience with the health care system.  Students will have the opportunity to observe how physicians from a variety of disciplines apply their communication and clinical skills to patient care.  There will be the opportunity to observe physicians interacting with patients as well as to talk directly with patients and their family members about their experiences with physicians and the medical care system as a whole.

Course Objectives

  1. Discuss the importance of effective communication between patients and physicians.     
  2. Describe ways that patient factors (such as socioeconomic status or cultural beliefs) and ways that physician factors (such as implicit bias or communication style) can influence the care and management of chronic diseases.
  3. Identify several common psychological responses patients may experience after being diagnosed with a chronic disease.
  4. Explain why it is important to understand patients in the context of their personal lives, providing examples of how social or personal factors can impact patient care.
  5. Describe why patient communication skills require continuous development throughout a physician’s career.
  6. Explain at least two reasons why developing a professional identity is important for physicians.

Educational Methods​

  • Community encounter
  • Patient interview
  • Panel discussion
  • Patient presentations
  • Small group session
  • Case-based, small-group workshops
  • Book/essay discussions

Assessment

Assessment for this course is based on in-person attendance and participation in small group sessions.

 

Requests for excused absences should be submitted via Elentra. Unexcused absences may result in grading penalties as outlined in the Policy on Absence and Attendance.