The Institute for the Medical Humanities at UTMB

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Medical School Teaching

The IMH faculty teach in all phases of medical school instruction. In the first and second years they instruct in the POM (Practice of Medicine) course. In the second year they also teach in the Great Syndromes course. In the third year they teach Medical Jurisprudence and assist with the Clerkships in Internal Medicine. Finally, in the fourth year electives are offered.

Year 1 - POM

The Practice of Medicine is a comprehensive course in the medical curriculum that addresses the development of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors that are necessary to practice the art and science of medicine in an optimal manner. In order to obtain these abilities, an excellent physician requires integrity, compassion, and knowledge. Thus, the course has been constructed with three integrated components that include: 1) clinical skills and reasoning ability, 2) understanding of ethical issues, communication skills, and professional behavior, 3) interest in and ability to conduct life-long learning. The IMH faculty participate in the second component with clinicians.

Year 2 - POM

The Practice of Medicine is a comprehensive multidisciplinary course and will follow the organ-based design of the integrated medical curriculum. POM in Year 2 has been designed to enhance the following areas: history taking skills, physical examination skills, communication skills, counseling skills, ethical issues and professional behavior. The IMH faculty also participate in the small group sessions where problem-based cases are used to enhance clinical skills.

Year 2 - Great Syndromes

The student learns to appreciate the complex dimensions of clinical judgment, including: Complexities of interactions, involvement of multiple organ systems, examples of major syndromes and diseases, life stages, patient's perspective, and incorporation of basic science knowledge. Predicated on students' knowledge of the basic science organ systems, this course acquaints students with the complexities and integrative dimensions of clinical judgment. Via clinical cases involving selected syndromes, this course will explore content topics including: aging, disability, substance abuse, death and dying, pain management, critical thinking, ethics and professionalism, treatment principles, and situational awareness.

Year 3

Our faculty co-teach Ethics Case Conferences with the Internal Medicine clinicians.

Year 4

Basic Science and Humanities Selectives will be offered beginning in July 2004. For full description and criteria for Selectives as well as application forms, please click here. For additional information please contact Selectives Course Chair Dr. Simon Lewis (Neuroscience & Cell Biology) (slewis@utmb.edu.)