Patient Centered Medicine I

Course Number: MDC 6011A

Co-Course Directors	Carol A. Terregino, MD Associate Professor Department of Medicine Assistant Dean for Admissions 732-235-4577 terregca@umdnj.edu
	Norma S. Saks, EdD Associate Professor Department of Psychiatry Assistant Dean for Educational Programs 732-235-3385 saks@umdnj.edu
Block Administrator
	Claire Swinson 732-235-4575 swinsocj@umdnj.edu

Patient Centered Medicine I is an experiential and skill development block which enables students to explore issues of humanism and professionalism, cultural and ethical sensitivity and the influence of one's own socio-cultural and personal beliefs on the practice of medicine, as well as the importance of balance in one's personal and professional lives.  Through teaching scenarios with standardized patients and clinic visits, students practice communication skills for establishing rapport and a therapeutic alliance with patients, for eliciting a medical history and understanding the biopsychosocial and environmental context.  The importance of mindfulness, reflection and “becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable” is also emphasized.

Examples of topics addressed in the block include:  caring for patients throughout the life cycle, medical ethics and professionalism, clinical interviewing and counseling skills, health promotion and disease prevention, culturally competent healthcare, caring for patients with limited English proficiency, caring for patients with health literacy challenges, caring for patients with disabilities and special needs, eliminating disparities in health and health care, human sexuality, religion and spirituality in medicine, working with families and caregivers, working with interprofessional and interdisciplinary teams, systems based practice and the healthcare delivery system, improving the quality and safety of care, medical economics, informatics and health information technology, integrative healing/ complementary /alternative medicine and the socio-economic determinants of health in the US and globally.

The Kessler Teaching Labs/Clinical Skills Center is the on-site location for the  large group clinic conferences, small group clinics, and standardized patient teaching sessions.  Groups of 10-11 students are longitudinally mentored by a physician faculty member over the two years.  One half day a week students participate in a cohesive clinic experience.  The participation of third year clerkship directors in this course and the longitudinal assessment of clinical skills and professional competencies of medical students ensure the impact and lasting effects of Patient Centered Medicine on each student's development throughout the four years of the curriculum.