Much of the course is included in our existing Doctoring course. The first year students receive presentations on the mind-body connection and eliciting the relaxation response, the role of spirituality in medical care, research on religion and prayer and their connection with health, two presentations on cultural aspects of health care, including a presentation of Hispanic spiritual healing practices, a session on death and dying, and a session on advance directives. Students complete a survey comparing their beliefs about spiritual issues and prayer with those of the general public. In addition, students interview a standardized patient who has concerns about spirituality. Two other patient cases involve issues regarding the ethics of abortion and the role of faith in cancer care.
All students vist an AA meeting and make rounds with the hospital chaplain.
Because the program involving the entire class with chaplain rounds is a new one this year, selected second year students will also be making chaplain rounds. Some students will make home visits or work with nurses and social workers to experience the support they give to patients. The second year course includes two cases of patients who will receive a cancer diagnosis, including one whose prognosis is very grave. The third year students work further with cancer patients, the elderly, and a young woman who has been raped and has strong religious convictions. Approximately one-sixth of the fourth year class work as tutors in the Doctoring course, and are thus involved in the educational program of the first three years.