"Writing About Medicine" An Exercise in Reflection at Mount Sinai (with Five Samples of Student Writing).

This paper describes the introduction of a new elective, "Writing About Medicine," into the Mount Sinai School of Medicine (MSSM) curriculum, part of a new trend of developing humanities programs at medical schools. The paper will first survey two exemplary programs at other schools, and discuss their impact on students. It will then detail the development of "Writing About Medicine," including its purpose and format. Finally, it will present focus group data evaluating the course and elaborate on its role in the MSSM educational process. Five samples of student writing follow the discussion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]