“BEING A HUMANISTIC DOCTOR”INTRODUCING HUMANITIES IN 'DOCTOR-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP' MODULE FOR FIRST-YEAR MEDICAL UNDERGRADUATES USING HERMENEUTICS

Background: The doctor-patient relationship is essential for effective patient care, yet medical education often neglects to nurture empathy and communication skills during training. Recognizing the role of medical humanities in enhancing this connection, infusing more humanity into medicine is crucial for holistic care from healthcare professionals. Hermeneutics, a method of interpretation, can play a vital role in introducing the humanities into the "Doctor-patient relationship," using Sir Luke Fildes' painting, "The Doctor," as a starting point. Our study aimed to integrate medical humanities into the curriculum for first-year medical undergraduates through hermeneutics within the AETCOM (Attitude, Ethics, and Communication) module and assess its effectiveness.Methods: Following ethical clearance, our research team developed and validated an educational module on the "Doctor-patient relationship" and conducted the intervention among 250 first-year medical undergraduates at Kasturba Medical College Manipal. The session comprised three steps: introducing the painting, encouraging self-understanding and interpretation, and facilitating debriefing and interpretation.The session's effectiveness was evaluated using the initial two levels of the Kirkpatrick evaluation model.Results: Student feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with participants expressing that the session significantly enhanced their understanding of humanities in the doctor-patient relationship, rating their overall learning experience at 8.63 out of 10.Student reflections were eloquent and insightful, delving into the painting's interpretation, self-understanding, and reflections on trust, patients' rights, doctors' responsibilities, and boundaries in the doctor-patient relationship.Conclusion: Introducing hermeneutics to impart humanities in the "Doctor-Patient Relationship" is a pioneering effort. The approach has the potential to cultivate a positive appreciation for medical humanities among students, fostering a deep understanding of humanities in the context of the doctor-patient relationship. This method enriches students' education, promoting empathy and virtuous conduct towards patients during their formative years as aspiring Indian Medical Graduates, reinforcing their commitment to compassionate and competent medical practice.