Medical humanities: a closer look at learning.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Medical Humanities

Background:

• The integration of medical humanities into medical curricula is increasingly debated.
• Understanding student learning from these modules is crucial for curriculum development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate learning outcomes for first-year undergraduate medical students participating in a medical humanities module.
• To assess the impact of the module on students' reflective competencies and professional development.

Main Methods:

• 156 students submitted written reflections on module experiences.
• Reflections were analyzed using the Reflection Evaluation for Learners' Enhanced Competencies Tool (REFLECT).
• Qualitative thematic analysis was performed on reflection content.

Main Results:

• Quantitative analysis via REFLECT showed 50% of students exhibited higher levels of reflection.
• Qualitative analysis revealed diverse learning outcomes, including exploration of beliefs, empathy development, and consideration of professional practice.

Conclusions:

• The medical humanities module fostered significant reflective learning and broadened students' perspectives.
• The module positively influenced students' self-awareness and understanding of diverse viewpoints, preparing them for professional practice.