Integrated Health Humanities I

Catalog description

This interdisciplinary course bridges essential diagnostic skills in medicine with critical insights from medical humanities and public health. Through a combination of lectures, skills labs, hands-on activities, and case-based learning, students will develop the ability to order and interpret a wide range of diagnostic tests, including laboratory studies (i.e. chemistry, hematology, microbiology), radiologic imaging, and electrocardiograms (ECGs). Emphasizing real-world clinical applications, students will gain foundational skills in analyzing diagnostic data to inform patient care. A distinguishing feature of this course is its integration of the humanistic and public health dimensions of medicine and caring for the whole person. Students will explore the impact of social determinants of health, health literacy, and communication strategies-such as motivational interviewing-on clinical outcomes. Through interactive case studies, they will practice delivering complex diagnoses, while considering the emotional, psychological, and social factors that shape patient experiences. Public health principles, including preventive care and population health approaches, are woven through the course. By connecting individual diagnostic skills with broader societal influences, students will cultivate a holistic approach to medical decision-making. This course prepares students for clinical practice by equipping them with the skills to interpret diagnostic results, communicate effectively with patients, and address medical challenges through both a clinical and public health lens. Course content will align and compliment sequencing of DPAS clinical modules Spring semester.