Humanist foundations in the training of students of medicine: case study

Abstract

Background: Medicine has been gaining high technological power, essential for many diagnoses and current treatments. On the other hand, one observes the distancing of the physician from what should be his instrument of work: the person.  Bahiana School of Medicine has been implementing actions aimed at integrating the student into the subjective elements of medical practice through such subjects as the Psychodynamics of the Medical Clinic. Objectives: To portray the reality of the teaching of the discipline Psychodynamics in the Bahiana School of Medicine and Public Health; to evaluate the performance of the psychodynamic material taught in the 7th semester of the medical course, as well as the need to teach humanistic fundamentals to the student community of this school. Methods: Case study conducted through documentary analysis, interview with professor of the subject and application of questionnaire. After approval by the Ethics Committee, questionnaires containing sex, age, year of the course, questions related to the subjects developed in the subject were applied, such as doctor-patient relationship, death and dying, medical vocation and humanization etc. Results: The goal of psychodynamics is to provide an integral view of the patient. The questionnaires were answered by 124 students distributed between the 4th, 5th and 6th grades. 88.7% agreed that the subject provided grounds for establishing an effective physician-patient relationship. 91.2% agreed that the subject drew attention to the therapeutic aspect that can have the doctor-patient relationship. 99.2% agree that in order to meet humanity, it is first necessary to humanize. 86.3% of the students agree on the need to teach humanistic fundamentals throughout the course. Conclusions:A Psicodinâmica da Clínica médica vem atingindo os objetivos propostos. Há necessidade do ensino de fundamentos humanísticos durante todo curso de medicina.Background:Medicine has been gaining high technological power, essential for many diagnoses and current treatments. On the other hand, one observes the distancing of the physician from what should be his instrument of work: the person.  Bahiana School of Medicine has been implementing actions aimed at integrating the student into the subjective elements of medical practice through such subjects as the Psychodynamics of the Medical Clinic. Objectives:To portray the reality of the teaching of the discipline Psychodynamics in the Bahiana School of Medicine and Public Health; to evaluate the performance of the psychodynamic material taught in the 7th semester of the medical course, as well as the need to teach humanistic fundamentals to the student community of this school. Methods: Case study conducted through documentary analysis, interview with professor of the subject and application of questionnaire. After approval by the Ethics Committee, questionnaires containing sex, age, year of the course, questions related to the subjects developed in the subject were applied, such as doctor-patient relationship, death and dying, medical vocation and humanization etc. Results: The goal of psychodynamics is to provide an integral view of the patient. The questionnaires were answered by 124 students distributed between the 4th, 5th and 6th grades. 88.7% agreed that the subject provided grounds for establishing an effective physician-patient relationship. 91.2% agreed that the subject drew attention to the therapeutic aspect that can have the doctor-patient relationship. 99.2% agree that in order to meet humanity, it is first necessary to humanize. 86.3% of the students agree on the need to teach humanistic fundamentals throughout the course. Conclusions: A Psicodinâmica da Clínica médica vem atingindo os objetivos propostos. Há necessidade do ensino de fundamentos humanísticos durante todo curso de medicina.