Acting Like a Doctor

Welcome to Acting Like a Doctor! Medical students face the great challenge of learning and becoming fluent in the language of medicine while simultaneously becoming aware of and comfortable with their nascent role as physicians.

Either of these tasks is daunting: Acquiring a new language involves not just vocabulary and grammar but context and culture. Where do I use this language? What does it mean to speak these words with authority? How am I perceived when I use these words? Meanwhile, students are taking on the mantle of doctor and trying to figure out how they will be recognized in the world. Will this affect my relationships? Will it set me apart, or above, my patients, my friends, my family? How will I be perceived as a physician?

These intellectual and affective challenges are remarkably like those faced by actors taking on a challenging role. The actor has to learn a script, understand its meaning, and appreciate how he or she will be perceived. They need to be aware of how they present themselves, not just to fellow actors, but to the wider public of paying audiences and critics. Actors also learn the crucial task of how to let go of a role once the play is over.

Overview

Through readings, films, and interactive class exercises, Dr. Haller and Fr. Seibert will use techniques well known to actors to help prepare medical students for their role as doctors. Students will examine how physicians are viewed in popular culture, and they will be challenged to consider how they will create their persona as physicians. They will also be invited to explore techniques for how actors step out of roles when appropriate.

Readings and other media will be assigned at each seminar and are expected to be completed for the following seminar. Students will be expected to be fully prepared to discuss materials and participate in exercises at each seminar/workshop. By the end of the course, participants will be expected to create an individual or group project or projects for presentation to elective colleagues. Students may also be encouraged to prepare and submit their projects for publication.

Team Members

Elective directors: Dr. Ken Haller and Fr. Seibert
Second year student lead: Neil Chen (class of 2024)
Up to 10 first or second year students

Objectives

Become more effective at communicating with patients and families
Get to deeper affective realms with patients in ways that can positively affect health, well-being and perception of disease
Create strategies for self-care in a stressful profession

Preparation

Complete facesheet
Review patient and family communication individual study resources

Coaching and Feedback

You will receive informal feedback from course directors and student colleagues throughout the rotation

Grading and Evaluation

Dr. Haller and Fr. Seibert will assign a final grade (P/F)

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