Promoting and Teaching the History of Medicine in an Undergraduate Curriculum

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Paper Presentation, Medical Library Association annual meeting, Honolulu, HI, May 2009.

Abstract

Objective: This paper describes the development of a history seminar for a medical school's course on "Physician, Patient and Society." The genesis of the seminar responds to the librarians' desire to promote the use of the library's special collections, especially rare books, among students in the undergraduate MD curriculum. The medical school, its library, and the MD curriculum are described. Methods: The MD course is "Patient, Physician and Society" and is included in both year 1 and year 2 curricula. The history seminar is an option among 20+ humanities seminars offered to students; students are required to choose one seminar. The history seminar is 5 sessions long and is limited to 6 students; the seminar is offered in successive weeks to year 1 and then year 2 students each January and February. Students choose a disease or health condition and trace its history back in time, using the rare books as supporting evidence. A PowerPoint presentation is required at the last session to reinforce the use of technology as a teaching tool and to promote teaching skills among students.

Other

original_citation: Shedlock J; Sims R; Kubilius R. "Promoting and Teaching the History of Medicine in an Undergraduate Curriculum". Paper Presentation, Medical Library Association annual meeting, Honolulu, HI, May 2009.

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