PRECEPTORS:             

Rev. Sue Carr
Hamilton Health Sciences
Tel: 905-527-4322
Pager: #46311
E-mail: scarr@hhsc.ca

LENGTH:                   Horizontal Component – six half-days

DESCRIPTION:             “A Whole Person in Half a Day…” 

As an effort to provide a focus for reflection and learning, a verbatim report is brought by the fellow to each half-day.

A ‘verbatim’ is a written record of an interaction between the physician and the patient (or family member). For the purposes of these academic half days, it has a psychosocial/spiritual context. The verbatim begins with a brief outline of any previous information, the goals of the visit, and observations about meeting the patient. The verbatim record is followed by an evaluation of and reflection on the interaction.

The verbatim allows for a detailed look at the interaction, and the chance to think about what might be done differently another time. As the verbatim is read aloud, it gives the doctor a chance to be the patient for a while. Verbatims do not have to be the ‘best’ encounters – often the learning is most when there was ambivalence about the interaction.

First meeting: Introductions, and discussion of goals and content for those sessions. Description of the verbatim report, its form and possible content. Reflection of experience of the programme to date. Look at stress management. Ways to open a conversation about spirituality.

Second meeting: Verbatim presented and discussed. Goal of visit, possibility of follow up, feelings of the fellow and possible experience of the patient reflected upon. Alternative directions for the verbatim explored. Reflection of current experience in fellowship.

Third meeting: Verbatim of an interchange that had been unsatisfactory. Exploration of an alternative approach. Examination of fellow’s feelings of helplessness and their inevitability. Books borrowed.

Fourth meeting: (Yet to take place) Personal Death Awareness Exercise. Look at own issues around death and dying, and how they affect clinical interactions. Verbatim, and issues arising from it. Brief review of books – more borrowed.

Fifth meeting:  Cultural issues in death and dying. Possible verbatim involving culture/faith.

Sixth meeting:  Ethical matters – to address E4 in the developmental milestones.