Makowska M, Dec-Pietrowska J, Szczepek AJ. Expectations of Polish undergraduate medical students for medical humanities classes: a survey-based pilot study.
BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION 2023;
23:775. [PMID:
37853376 PMCID:
PMC10585903 DOI:
10.1186/s12909-023-04771-7]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Medical schools teach Medical Humanities (MH) to provide students with knowledge about the human experience related to health, illness, disease, medicine, and healthcare. Due to the previously observed negative opinions about MH courses, we examined the expectations of medical students in Poland toward humanities subjects.
METHODS
We conducted a voluntary, anonymous electronic survey in one medical school (single-center study) and collected data from 166 medical students. The results were analyzed by comparing continuous and categorical variables between groups (gender, year of study, previous participation in MH classes).
RESULTS
The students expected to learn how to communicate with patients and their families, especially about difficult topics. They also expected the classes to be active, stress-free, and without passing grades. The preferred MH teacher was a physician, although choosing a psychologist or other qualified person as an MH teacher was also popular. Previous participants in MH courses were more likely to expect such a course to be compulsory than those who had yet to attend it.
CONCLUSION
Considering the students' expectations when designing MH classes could increase students' satisfaction with MH courses.
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