Scholar’s Week
Palliative Medicine Scholar’s Week 2007-2008
“Living and Letting Die” – What Can We Learn about Palliative Medicine from the Movies?
Palliative medicine strives to adopt a whole person approach to medical care. Understanding patient’s stories is central to this approach. As we advance through our medical careers the thread of many people’s lives become entwined with our own and inform our experience. Film can often provide rich stories which may mirror real life experiences in medicine. It provides the ideal forum to discuss the challenges of caring for patients with life threatening or life- limiting illness. Students enrolled in this scholar’s week rotation will watch a selection of films which highlight issues encountered in end of life care, such as communication issues, suffering, quality of life, euthanasia, the doctor-patient relationship, being a caregiver, grief and many more. Short selected readings will be provided each day to compliment each film and sessions will end with a discussion of the issues encountered. One afternoon will be spent at the Birmingham Museum of Fine Art for an experiential creative thinking exercise. Students will be offered the opportunity to gain a first hand and personal perspective of end of life care from patients and their families, meeting patients either at home on home hospice or at the BVAMC or UAB Palliative Care Unit.
2007-2008 Scholar’s Week Schedule
Requirements
Trainees will be expected to complete daily reading assignments and a keep a brief daily journal of reflections on the films, reading and clinical experience.
Prerequisites
None
Evaluation
Trainees will be evaluated on their attendance and participation in group discussion of the films, reading and clinical experience.
Course Director:
For more information, call:
Vicki Herring, Administrative Associate
Center for Palliative Care
CH19 Room 219
Tel. 205-975-8197
greenfire@uab.edu
Ms. Herring will provide students with a written schedule of activities that will include the location and times of all sessions. Course materials including all reading assignments will be provided. The materials should be obtained the week before beginning the rotation, and will inform students where to report on the first morning of the rotation.