History, concepts and application of psychotherapeutic methods: evaluation of an elective seminar

Abstract

We describe the concept of an interdisciplinary seminar on various forms of psychotherapy as part of a German reformed medical curriculum. The authors discuss the systematical evaluation of this seminar they jointly taught by integrating historical and present issues concerning psychotherapy and its function in the German health system. A standardised questionnaire (HILVE) has been used for evaluation of this seminar. Both authors teach in a Special Study Module (SSM) called "Principles Of Medical Theory And Practice", in the problem-based and integrated reformed track at Berlin's Charité. This SSM specifically aims to stress the societal contexts of the doctor-patient relationship and of medical profession, which is the contextualisation of medicine. In integrating the humanities into medical education it is intended that students would develop an awareness of the strengths and limitations of modern medicine and medical practice, develop their own personalities and sense of social responsibility and generally broaden their outlook.

Keywords

• medical education
• history of medicine
• complementary medicine
• interdisciplinary teaching
• humanities in medicine
• reformed curriculum
• Charité Berlin