{"id":3963,"date":"2015-10-14T16:40:00","date_gmt":"2015-10-14T20:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/med.sites.unc.edu\/aoe\/aoe\/resources\/the-healer2019s-art-course-2013-information-lunch-10-30-in-g-100\/"},"modified":"2017-12-15T11:37:08","modified_gmt":"2017-12-15T16:37:08","slug":"the-healer2019s-art-course-2013-information-lunch-10-30-in-g-100","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/aoe\/resources\/archives\/the-healer2019s-art-course-2013-information-lunch-10-30-in-g-100\/","title":{"rendered":"The Healer\u2019s Art Course \u2013 Information Lunch 10\/30 in G-100"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Healer\u2019s Art is a Year I and II course with curriculum designed by Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D., Director of the Institute for the Study of Health and Illness (ISHI) at Commonweal, and Professor of Family and Community Medicine at UCSF School of Medicine. Dr. Remen is the author of numerous books and publications, including Kitchen Table Wisdom<\/i>, My Grandfather\u2019s Blessings<\/i> and many others. The course was first taught at UCSF in 1992. Since then, it has spread around the country and is being taught this year at more than 70 medical schools in the USA and in 7 other countries. It was first taught at UNC in 2005. The Healer\u2019s Art course was featured in U.S. News & World Report\u2019s<\/i> \u201cAmerica\u2019s Best Graduate Schools\u201d issue for 2002 as an example of excellence in medical education.<\/p>\n

Dr. Remen\u2019s motive for developing the course was to address her concern about a hidden crisis in medicine \u2013 the growing loss of meaning and commitment experienced by physicians nationwide under the stresses of today\u2019s health-care system. Many studies have shown that students entering medical school possess the highest levels of enthusiasm and optimism that they ever experience as members of the medical profession. The Healer\u2019s Art can help medical students find meaning and satisfaction in their chosen profession.<\/p>\n

At UNC, the Healer\u2019s Art is a 15-hour elective taught in 5 evening sessions over eight weeks. The curriculum offers a highly interactive, contemplative and didactic approach to enable students to realize the personal and universal meaning in their daily experience of medicine. The course brings together two mutually supportive learning communities, primarily first- and second-year medical students and practicing and teaching physicians, in a model that encourages honest and mutually respectful sharing of experience, beliefs and personal truths. Faculty members participate in the exercises and share their personal insights along with the students.<\/p>\n

The course\u2019s innovative education strategy is based on a \u201cdiscovery model\u201d and draws on tested approaches and theories from such fields as humanistic psychology, formational theory, and cognitive and Jungian psychology. In the discovery model, there are no experts, no right answers and it is acceptable \u201cnot to know.\u201d The wisdom in the collective life experience of the group is harvested and a spirit of curiosity is encouraged. <\/del> This model encourages respect for others, self-exploration and self-trust, and personal ownership of the fundamental principles of healing.<\/p>\n

The course is both didactic and experiential: roughly 10% of course time uses a didactic approach. Non-cognitive methodologies, such as reflection on life experience or personal values, comprise 90% of the course; students participate in imagery, ritual, writing and journal keeping. Small group work is consistent: Between one-half and two-thirds of class time is spent in small group work, and group membership is held constant through the course. Students are given the contact information for others in their group. In these groups, students come to know one another in depth, discover shared values, and support each member\u2019s struggle to be genuine and true to her\/himself. Groups often continue to meet on their own to offer continuing support after the course has concluded.<\/p>\n

At UNC, the course will not be tested or graded and students will not earn \u201ccredit\u201d toward graduation. Instead, students will earn a \u201ccertificate of completion\u201d after attending all 5 sessions of the course; the certificate will be reflected in Dean\u2019s letters at the time of residency application and has been noted by residencies as a desirable credential.<\/p>\n

All of the sessions scheduled for 2016 are on Thursdays, as follows:<\/p>\n