Utilizing Psychodynamic Principles to Teach Professionalism to Medical Students Through an Innovative Curriculum

Abstract

Professionalism is a fundamental expectation of practicing medicine and a core competency in medical education, yet the methods of how to teach and evaluate it are still experimental. Professionalism involves self-reflection, a psychodynamic understanding of the patient's and the doctor's predicament, and conflict resolution, so psychiatrists are uniquely qualified to teach it. This article describes an innovative course that utilizes psychodynamic principles to teach professionalism to medical students. The…