Use of Film to Sensitize Medical Students to Issues of Family Caregiving.

Background And Objective: Families are the backbone of our long-term care system, managing complicated illnesses, providing direct care, and assisting with the day-to-day functioning of elderly patients. Medical education, however, provides students with little, if any, exposure to the challenges faced by family caregivers or how best to communicate with them to optimize patient care. We assessed the value of an educational program combining film and discussion as a means of sensitizing third-year medical students to caregiver issues. During their family medicine clerkship, third-year medical students at Northeast Ohio Medical University view the film, and discuss issues of family caregiving.

Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used to evaluate the program, including a qualitative focus group with clerkship preceptors and ongoing quantitative student evaluations.

Results: Preceptors reported that students related to the film in highly personal ways, often recounting experiences within their own families, and gained a greater appreciation of caregivers. Three years of student evaluations (n=403) were used to validate preceptor comments. Students agreed that the program helped them establish a comfortable relationship with caregivers, increased their awareness of caregiver challenges and rewards, and provided valuable insights into caregiver experiences.

Conclusions: Film depicting compelling narratives of caregiver journeys, coupled with guided discussion, is a valuable strategy for increasing student awareness of the important role of caregivers.