Living with 'melanoma' … for a day: a phenomenological analysis of medical students' simulated experiences. (26th June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Corr, M.; Roulston, G.; King, N.; Dornan, T.; Blease, C.; Gormley, G.J.
• Is Part Of: British journal of dermatology. Volume 177:Number 3(2017)
• Page Start: 771
• Page End: 778
• Publication Date: 2017-06-26
• Subjects: Dermatology -- Periodicals; Skin -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.5
• DOI: 10.1111/bjd.15402
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-0963

Abstract

Summary: Background: Despite the rising incidence of melanoma, medical students have progressively fewer opportunities to encounter patients with this important condition. Curricula tend to attach the greatest value to intellectual forms of learning. However, compared with intellectual learning, experiential learning affords students deep insights about a condition. Doctors who experience ill health are more empathic towards patients. However, opportunities to learn about cancer experientially are limited. Temporary transfer tattoos can simulate the ill health associated with melanoma. We reasoned that if doctors who have been sick are more empathic temporarily 'having' melanoma might have a similar effect. Objectives: To explore the impact of wearing a melanoma tattoo on medical students' understanding of patienthood and attitudes towards patients with melanoma. Methods: Ten fourth‐year medical students were recruited to a simulation. They wore a melanoma tattoo for 24 h and listened to a patient's account of receiving their diagnosis. Data were captured using audio diaries and face‐to‐face interviews, transcribed and analysed phenomenologically using the template analysis method. Results: There were four themes: (i) melanoma simulation: opening up new experiences; (ii) drawing upon past experiences; (iii) a transformative introduction to patienthood; (iv) doctors in the making: seeing cancer patients in a new light. Conclusions: By means of a novel simulation, medical students were introduced to lived experiences of having a melanoma. Such an inexpensive simulation can prompt students to reflect critically on the empathetic care of such patients in the future. Abstract : What's already known about this topic? Despite the rising incidence of melanoma, medical students have progressively fewer opportunities to encounter patients with this form of cancer. Beyond diagnosing and managing such patients, it is important to consider the impact that such a condition can have on their lives. Experiential learning opportunities can provide a powerful experience but are limited when relating to cancer. What does this study add? Temporary melanoma transfer tattoos, in combination with a patient's account of receiving their diagnosis, can afford medical students a modest but potentially important immersive introduction to some of the lived experiences of having melanoma. What are the clinical implications of this work? Such an inexpensive simulation modality shows promise in prompting medical students to reflect critically on how they could treat patients with melanoma more empathetically in the future. Respond to this article Linked Comment: Brooks. Br J Dermatol 2017; 177 :617–618