Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026

Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care
Published on: February 16, 2011
Writing, self-reflection, and medical school performance: the Human Context of Health Care
Mark B Stephens1, Brian V Reamy, Denise Anderson
1Department of Family Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
Introduction:
Finding ways to improve communication and self-reflection skills is an important element of medical education and continuing professional development. This study examines the relationship between self-reflection and educational outcomes.
Methods:
We correlate performance in a preclinical course that focuses on self-reflection as it relates to contextual elements of patient care (Human Context of Health Care), with educational measures such as overall grade point average, clinical clerkship scores, and Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores.
Results:
Student performance in Human Context of Health Care correlated with MCAT-Verbal scores, MCAT-writing sample scores, clerkship grades, and overall medical school grade point average (R = 0.3; p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
Writing and self-reflection skills are often neglected in undergraduate medical curricula. Our findings suggest that these skills are important and correlate with recognized long-term educational outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
Patient-centered Care
Dimensions of Health and Illness
Concepts of Health and Illness
Purpose of Health Records I
Here's a breakdown of how health records serve these purposes:
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques VI
Motivation and Self-Determination
Motivation, the driving force behind behavior, plays a pivotal role at every stage of the change process. The research...
Self Within Cultural Contexts
