Interacting With The Medical Humanities: Versions Of The Body (Out of Print)

Abstract Interacting with the Medical Humanities: Versions of the Body focuses on the student's initiation to the physical body. It is the second of eight units that explore different aspects of the opportunities and challenges of the doctor-patient relationship. The web-based project uses art, literature, video and audio skits, and interviews to explore the art of medicine. Though geared primarily towards first- and second-year medical students, this unit offers many materials that can be incorporated into clerkships and residency lectures that can also drive home teachable moments. The unit begins with a focus on the anatomical body, specifically, the student's encounter with the cadaver. Objective and subjective aspects of this encounter are explored, and include exercises involving different organs in isolation from the body, as is the experience of a patient meditating on the experience of organ transplantation. The unit continues with a study of body image using obesity and eating disorders as examples of distorted self-images and their relationship to cultural norms. Continuing with the theme of objective and subjective approaches to the body, the units conclude with a section on sexuality. Exercises contrast ordinary and clinical language of sexuality, sexual dysfunction and taking a sexual history. A final exercise invites students to reflect on the role of culture in dictating sexual behavior