Identifying with the patient: an intensive programme for medical students

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Clinical Skills Development
• Patient-Centered Care

Background:

• Medical education requires practical exposure to patient complexities.
• Understanding the patient journey is crucial for developing empathetic physicians.
• Traditional curricula may lack immersive clinical experiences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the 'Hospitalization Week' program's effectiveness.
• To assess the impact of immersive patient shadowing on medical students.
• To understand the multifaceted needs of hospitalized patients from a student perspective.

Main Methods:

• First-year medical students participated in 'Hospitalization Week'.
• Students shadowed two patients from emergency room admission through hospital discharge.
• The program's goals and methods were systematically described and evaluated.

Main Results:

• Students gained a deeper understanding of patient needs and hospital complexities.
• The immersive experience provided valuable insights into the patient's journey.
• The program facilitated the development of clinical empathy and observational skills.

Conclusions:

• 'Hospitalization Week' effectively enhances medical students' understanding of hospitalized patients.
• Immersive clinical shadowing is a valuable pedagogical tool in medical education.
• The program promotes a more patient-centered approach to medical training.