MedEdPORTAL (Apr 2012)
Child and Adolescent Development for Medical Learners: Adolescent Identity Development
Abstract
Abstract This module, Adolescent Identity Development, reviews the theories and research of several well know contributors (Erikson, Anna Freud, The Offers, James Marcia) to the understanding of adolescent identity development. Biological, cognitive, parenting, scholastic and sociocultural influences on identity development are reviewed. A clinical correlation highlights the applicability of knowledge related to adolescent identity development to clinical medical practice. Potential consequences to unsatisfactory identity establishment such as depression and suicide are considered in the PowerPoint section of this module. Audiovisual resources illustrating major concepts or themes are listed in a supplemental resource and usage suggestions are given. This submission is one of six modules which can be used together as a complete course or independently by topic. Each module uses teaching tools which include learning objectives, lecture outline lecture text, clinical correlations or case vignettes, sample test questions, recent related research, after-class exercises or activities, audiovisual aids including some dedicated teaching clips or transcripts, bibliographies, and PowerPoint presentations. It is not unusual for medical learners to devalue course material deemed “soft science” even when the learner is psychologically sophisticated, particularly when the course is taught concurrent with challenging and volume intensive courses requiring memorization of many details. Such was the case when this course was instituted at a large medical school 15 or more years ago. Because educational leaders felt the material to be essential to the learner's integration of the “biopsychosocial” approach to patient care, and also supported one of the course's tenets (that improved self-understanding and self-reflection supports physician self-care and the doctor-patient relationship), course leaders undertook a process of course examination and improvement which is ongoing. Included in this submission are assessment samples from in-house course evaluations and also from other institutions exposed to the materials that support the success of this curriculum. The authors of this submission believe that the comprehensive course format utilizing a multi-media approach, lectures as well as after-class activities, case correlations, etc. appeal to almost all learners.
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