A patient-led educational program on Tourette Syndrome: impact and implications for patient-centered medical education

Abstract

Background: Graduate medical education about Tourette Syndrome does not typically focus on understanding the perspectives and perceptions of individuals with the condition.

Purposes: Explore the impact of patient-centered, patient-led education programs on participant knowledge and empathy for patients.

Methods: Seventy-nine medical residents and students at five training sites in New Jersey attended patient-led presentations. Results were obtained using a pretest-posttest design assessing physician empathy, using the 10 perspective-taking items from the Jefferson Scale of Empathy. Additional understanding of residents' experience was obtained by analyzing participant generated reaction statements.

Results: A factorial ANOVA (pretest, Posttest × Gender × Specialty) revealed a significant increase (p < .05) from total pre-presentation scores to total post-presentation scores indicating that participants endorsed a more empathic view following the patient-led presentation. Participant statements revealed themes concordant with the practice of patient-centered medicine.

Conclusions: Providing patient-led educational presentations to medical residents can increase physician empathy, increase knowledge of Tourette Syndrome, and support the advancement of patient-centered medical education.