Faculty Response to Student Confrontation
THEODORE SHAPIRO M.D.1, and
WILLIAM A. FROSCH M.D.2
1 Associate professor of clinical psychiatry, department of psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Ave., New York, N. Y. 10016
2 Associate professor of psychiatry, department of psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Ave., New York, N. Y. 10016, associate medical director, psychiatric division, Bellevue Hospital Center, New York, N. Y.
A psychiatric faculty was confronted with the need for change by discontented first-year medical students. A description of the events and some of the factors involved in the faculty response to the student demands is presented. There were a number of irrational and emotional factors influencing faculty attitudes; these variously reinforced prior tendencies in favor of or against change. Recognition of these irrational tendencies is essential if we are to prevent polarization and promote cooperation and problem solving.
