Walk With Me: MD Students Find Insight with Patients

TL;DR

Medical students at Stanford participate in a course called Walk With Me, allowing them to develop authentic connections with patients and learn from their experiences.

Transcript

(mellow music) - About six years ago now that they first discovered the skin cancer on my nose. I spent my teenage years as a lifeguard in Arizona and I was very brown and pretty. Paying the price for that now. (mellow music) It's been, I think five operations. The radiation treatment damaged the bones in the top of my mouth, so they took a bone ou... Read More

Key Insights

• 😎 Excessive sun exposure during youth can have long-term consequences, such as skin cancer.
• 😷 Bringing patients into the classroom can enhance the medical education experience by providing authentic connections and insights from the patient's perspective.
• 😨 The Walk With Me course at Stanford allows students to learn medicine through the lens of the patient, fostering empathy and patient-centered care.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the medical student and patient develop a close bond?

The students and patients were randomly assigned as partners and met regularly, discussing various topics and finding common interests like writing and reading. This consistent interaction fostered their close bond.

Q: How does the Walk With Me course differ from traditional medical education?

Unlike traditional medical education, which delays patient interaction until later years, Walk With Me immerses students in the patient experience from an early stage. Students learn to truly understand patients' perspectives and priorities.

Q: What impact does this course have on students' future practice?

By experiencing medicine from the patient's point of view, students gain a deeper understanding of the importance of empathy and patient-centered care. This equips them to become better clinicians in their future practices.

Q: In what way does the patient's experience shape the medical student's journey?

The patient's journey has a profound impact on the student's development as a doctor. The student reflects on how their relationship with the patient and the Walk With Me course have influenced their understanding of medicine and their motivation to provide better care.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• A medical student shares her experience of being paired with a patient who has skin cancer, highlighting the long-term impact of excessive sun exposure during her teenage years.

• Walk With Me is a course at Stanford that brings together patients and students, allowing them to learn about medicine from the perspective of the patient.

• The student and patient form a close bond, collaborating on writing a book and reflecting on their shared experiences.