Post by UZH Faculty of Medicine

🔬 Can empathy be taught, or is it a skill doctors must simply "pick up" on the job? At the UZH Faculty of Medicine, we believe high-stakes communication is a core medical competency that requires dedicated training. We are proud to highlight our specialized lecturer training program for Psychosocial Medicine, designed to prepare 3rd-year medical students at the University of Zurich for the complex emotional realities of clinical practice. Through a "Flipped Classroom" approach and immersive simulations, our lecturers are being trained to guide students through some of medicine's most challenging conversations: from addiction and psychosomatic disorders to the delicate art of "Breaking Bad News" and end-of-life care. By utilizing standardized patients and structured feedback models, we ensure our future physicians lead with both clinical precision and profound empathy. 💡 Why it matters: Modern healthcare isn't just about treating a disease; it’s about treating the person. By investing in high-quality faculty development, we are bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and compassionate patient care. This ensures that when our students face real-world "special situations of illness," they are equipped to communicate with clarity, handle silence, and support patients during their most vulnerable moments. 👥 Shoutout to the dedicated team leading this initiative: A huge thank you to Prof. Dr. med. Roland von Känel, Silvia Enzler, and Katja-Daniela Jordan for their leadership and coordination, and to our simulation person experts Agnes Kraehenbuehl, Jutta Bisaz, Valeska Stolz, Ingrid Heussner, Pascale Bieri, and Markus Buehlmann for creating a safe and realistic learning environment. 📖 Learn more about this learning programme: https://lnkd.in/eXsUUK86 Universitätsspital Zürich  #MedicalEducation #PsychosocialMedicine #SimulatedPatient #EmpathyInHealthcare