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Students will develop skills to apply clinically-relevant basic sciences, humanities, social and behavioral science, and population health to the care of patients, as well as demonstrate effective strategies for caring for patients with contextual challenges (poverty, under-insurance, low literacy, low English proficiency, limited social support). Students will refine advanced communication skills, such as delivering bad news, motivational interviewing, end-of-life care planning, and handing off care of patients. Students will also improve skills to work effectively in teams across disciplines and professions. The course will also highlight the translation of basic science principles to clinical medicine and examine strategies for improving systems of care.

The course will give students an opportunity to critically reflect with a faculty mentor on patient care encounters experienced throughout the Application Phase, exploring moral quandaries encountered in clinical decision making, stigma and the effects of social determinants of health on individual patients.

Monthly, day-long sessions, including small group sessions and large group presentations.

Course Directors:

Sean McLean, MD

Communication and Professionalism

  • Critically reflect on patient care encounters in order to improve one’s ability to forge a therapeutic relationship in future clinical encounters.
  • Explore and address moral quandaries encountered in clinical decision making.
  • Work effectively in teams within and across disciplines, recognizing the strengths and skills of colleagues.
  • Employ advanced verbal and non-verbal communication skills to effectively perform challenging clinical tasks such as delivering bad news, motivational interviewing, end-of-life care planning, and handing off care of patients.
  • Employ effective strategies for caring for patients given contextual challenges related to social determinants of health, such as poverty, lack of insurance, low health literacy, low English proficiency, and limited social support.

Medical Sciences

  • Apply clinically-relevant basic science, humanities, social and behavioral science, and population health concepts to the care of patients.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of physiology and pathobiology and its application to the diagnosis and treatment of human disease.

Population Health

  • Critically evaluate original clinical research and apply research findings to the care of patients.
  • Employ effective clinical preventive services in the care of patients.