0005 522H Humanities
Dealing with Sick Folks and Their Families

Instructor(s): Ira Kodner, M.D. Solon & Bettie Gershman Professor of Surgery Coreen Vlodarchyk Vice President, Patient Care Services Chief Nurse Executive

Course Summary:
EXPLANATION OF THIS COURSE

This course originated from numerous discussions regarding the need for Washington University medical students to examine issues that will help them become caring physicians and to deal sensitively and effectively with sick people and their families in stressful situations. This course addresses these concerns. The syllabus includes a group of writings for you to ponder and reflect on. We hope you will express your feelings, concerns, fears, and apprehensions about the material. The logistics of the course require 3 or 4 assigned students to read a week’s assignment and to have thought about it sufficiently to lead a discussion with the other students in the group. The discussion’s direction and emphasis is open and should be determined by the vigor and preparation of the discussion leaders, as will the course grade. Freely make any general comments, utilizing the papers in the introduction for the first session. The papers should provide you with the opportunity to express yourself candidly and without reservation.

Most of the sessions will include a guest speaker who will cover important areas in dealing professionally with patients and their families. When a guest speaker is present, please dress appropriately. You are also invited to come, one or two at a time, to Monday morning, Friday morning, or Thursday Connect Care office hours, where you can observe many of the principles you learn in this course put into practice, or, in some cases, violated. You will need to sign up for this part of the course, so that no more than two of you are present on any given clinic day. This part of the course is strictly optional. You should do it only if you are enthusiastic to begin seeing patients.

Your grade will be based on attendance at the sessions and completion of a one-page paper dealing with your concerns, apprehensions, and fears, as you become a physician.

I hope this program is informative, occasionally inspirational, and gives you some relief from the details, theories, and multiple choice questions which you have been inundated with and will continue to be so for the next few years. There is light at the end of the tunnel, and we hope that you enjoy it as much as we have after many years of clinical practice.

Sincerely,


Ira J. Kodner, M.D.

Teaching Objective:
To learn and understand the principles and techniques for dealing with
patients and their families during the stressful exposure of illness.


Course Requirements:
· Attend all class sessions and participate in class discussions.
· Complete a one-page paper dealing with your concerns, apprehensions and fears, as you become a physician.
· Complete the class evaluation form.

Class Format:

Discussion

Time:

3:15-4:45pm



Date:

1/26/2010
2/2/2010
2/9/2010
2/16/2010
2/23/2010
3/2/2010

Location:

14th Floor Conference Room, Queeny Tower