G06 – Teaching Behavioural Sciences to Family Medicine Residents: The “Collaborative Care” Approach

Summary

In this interactive workshop, we describe the teaching of behavioral sciences to family medicine residents at McMaster University. Instead of a block placement in a psychiatric unit, teaching takes place on a weekly half day, devoted to behavioral sciences, for the entire duration of the two-year residency. The training is problem based, usually within small groups, utilizing actual patients that the residents see in their practice. Multidisciplinary teaching is emphasized. The tutors for each group are usually compromised of a psychiatrist, family doctor, and social worker. The bulk of each half day involves a review of cases the residents have seen, either by direct presentation of the case to the group, or often by viewing digitalized audiovisual tapes of the encounters. We will discuss the use of the audiovisual medium as a teaching tool. We will focus specifically on giving feedback on the interview process in order to foster cohesive doctor-patient relationships, and to help develop diagnostic acumen in a time efficient manner. We will look at ways in which learners can develop comfort levels to present themselves on tape in front of a small group. A significant portion of the workshop will involve an experiential process where the group will participate in the direct viewing of an audiovisual tape depicting a patient encounter. Many of the techniques used in giving feedback will be illustrated.