Sharpen Empathy for Prospective Doctor Students, Here’s How IPB University Does It
Empathy is an essential skill that needs to be possessed by every doctor so, it needs to be trained in every stage of their education. One of the learning methods that can be used in developing empathy for IPB University medical students is Early Clinical Exposure (ECE).
Doctor Iffa Mutmainah, Lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine (FK) IPB University explained, the learning method seeks to increase student exposure to patients since the first year of medical education.
“In addition to aiming to hone empathy, it is hoped that students will get a more comprehensive understanding of the application of the knowledge learned with the patient conditions that will be encountered so that it helps improve memory retention through this experience,” she said.
Furthermore, she said, to support these efforts, FK IPB University students held a Community Genetics activity that presented patients and families with rare diseases held recently at Satari Auditorium, IPB Dramaga Campus, Bogor.
“The event was attended by children aged 7-10 years with their respective special conditions, namely Apert Syndrome, Crouzon Syndrome, Waardenburg Syndrome, and Cornelia de Lange Syndrome. These conditions are rare disorders or diseases because the incidence or prevalence rate in the world is less than 1:2000,” she said.
He explained that due to the low prevalence of each disease, few experts, and limited knowledge, diagnosis and management of patients with rare disorders are still inadequate, so it is not easy for patients and families to deal with these conditions.
“Therefore, the willingness of parents who accompany patients with rare conditions from the beginning of their lives to share their stories and experiences with FK IPB University students is certainly a valuable experience for future doctors,” she said. (*/Lp) (IAAS/RUM)
