The hidden curriculum in medical school: What they don’t teach you

02/19/25 at 03:00 AM

The hidden curriculum in medical school: What they don’t teach you 
Medscape; by Roni Robbins; 2/14/25
... For Krastein and other medical students, there’s a hidden curriculum in medical school: Unwritten, informal lessons, and values learned outside of formal academic settings that shape the culture of medicine, influence behavior, and how to approach patient care and professional relationships. ... These lessons may unfold in informal moments, conversations during rounds or with patients, observing faculty handling difficult cases, or seeing how peers and mentors navigate challenges. [Identified themes include the following:]

 

  • Hierarching in Healthcare ...
  • Unspoken Rules ...
  • Communication Nuances ...
  • Medical Jargon ...
  • Advocating for Patients ...
  • Ethical Gray Areas ...
  • Dealing with Loss ...
  • Emotional Resilience ...
  • Work-Life Balance ...

Editor's note: While relevant for all physicians, examine the significance of these identified themes for hospice and palliative care physicians. These can help formulate excellent behavioral interview questions for physician candidates: "Describe an incident when you dealt with ... " AND/OR "What is a core, life-changing lesson you learned about being a doctor--that came from a patient encounter--not from a textbook."

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