台灣當前醫學人文課程之實施現況與推展困境

The medical humanities curriculum is newly developed in Taiwan and so there were many difficulties to be faced by the decision makers. In order to explore and compare the practices and content of the current medical humanities curriculum within Taiwan's medical education, in-depth interviews were conducted during this study. A total of thirty-one specialists and scholars, who have participated in related medical education committees or who have the power to make important decisions regarding the curriculum of medical schools, were interviewed. In addition, this study also collected and analyzed the detailed course information of all eleven schools of medicine within local universities. The course information was summarized from Internet sites and from interviewees. The findings of this study show that the courses offered to students within medical schools can be grouped into two categories: firstly. the medical humanities courses', which are especially for medical students and, secondly, 'liberal education', which is required for all university students. However, the difference between these two categories is somewhat vague in some colleges. It was found that almost every medical school had experienced difficulties when the newly introduced medical humanities curriculum was launched. These difficulties originate from both instructors and students. The instructors who are able to teach these kinds of course are significantly insufficient in number. Complaints from the instructors who teach basic or clinical medicine are also rising. On the other hand, most of the students lack active learning motivation and the classes are often overcrowded with students.