Growth in Medical Students Through Group Process
JAMES J. CADDEN M.D.1,
FREDERIC F. FLACH M.D.2,
SARA BLAKESLEE M.A.3, , and
RANDOLPH CHARLTON JR. 4
1 National Institute of Mental Health Clinical Research Center, 3150 Horton Rd., Fort Worth, Tex. 76119
2 Clinical associate professor of psychiatry, New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, Payne Whitney Psychiatric Clinic, New York, N. Y.
3 Research assistant, New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, Payne Whitney Psychiatric Clinic, New York, N. Y.
4 Third-year medical student, New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, Payne Whitney Psychiatric Clinic, New York, N. Y.
Voluntary participation in group seminars is offered to freshman medical students at Cornell Medical College in an effort to make the medical student, and hence the graduate physician, a more sensitive, empathic, and self-aware individual. The authors outline the techniques used in the seminars and discuss problem areas within the program. Student interest has been high, and participants' reactions to the experience, although varied, have generally been favorable. The program has also promoted greater faculty-student communication, the authors conclude, thus indirectly enhancing the entire learning process.
