Center for Empathy and Compassion Training in Medical Education
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Compassionatomy
Learn about our flagship course offering at UC San Diego School of Medicine.
About Compassionatomy
In 2021, the Sanford Institute for Empathy and Compassion, Compassion Institute, and Chief of the Division of Anatomy at the UC San Diego School of Medicine collaborated to develop and launch a project that brought more humanity to the anatomy experience. The result: Compassionatomy, a new approach to anatomy training that combines the scientific learning from a body donor, including surgical, patient-centered approaches, with the learning, cultivation and practice of compassion for self and others.
Program Highlights
Read our free whitepaper for a deep dive on how Compassionatomy was created, our research-driven evaluation of the program thus far, and how we're using our learnings to inspire the next generation of medical professionals.
Adopt the Program
We recognize that while there are many commonalities in anatomy courses around the country, each one will also be unique. If you are interested in transitioning your anatomy course to Compassionatomy by incorporating more humanistic and compassionate practices, we can collaborate with you to co-develop the course offering at your institute. Start by contacting Jenna Tutjer, Director of Medical Education Integration at the Sanford Institute for Empathy and Compassion, at jtutjer@health.ucsd.edu.
Redefining Anatomy Through Empathy and Compassion
Via UC San Diego Today: The Compassionatomy experience has proven to be transformative for medical students. Listening for the patient’s voice that has been silenced by death is providing a profound lesson in humanity and teaching students the importance of empathy, dignity and patient-centered care.
Course Offerings
Learn more about our past and upcoming course offerings for UC San Diego School of Medicine students.
Compassionate Action and Real Engagement in the Community (CARE) Courses
CARE 1 & 2 (Compassionate Action and Real Engagement in the community)
This core course for first- and second-year medical students provides learners with skills to sustain a humanistic approach to medicine. Our evidence-based curriculum includes 1) classroom sessions with didactics, contemplative practice, small group activities, processing and reflection, 2) clinical observerships, and 3) community-based service. The three-course elements are integrated via homework assignments and discussions about the role of empathy, compassion, and self-compassion in professional life, health care, and society.
Elective Courses
PSY296: Compassionate Arts- and Humanities - Based Peer Facilitation
Ready to take skills you learned in CARE to the next level? In this course, experience and learn how to peer facilitate music-based, Narrative Medicine-based, and theater-based curricula. Then, practice these techniques by peer facilitating small groups for 3 Fall CARE1 sessions. Gain RE credits and help guide your near peers while honing arts- and humanities-based strategies for compassionate connection that you can bring to clinical and educational settings in the future.
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