Part of JABSOM's mission to educate current and future healthcare professionals includes seeing patients holistically. Our students learn to look beyond the patient's reason for visiting and consider their circumstances, lived experiences, and what matters most to them.
Those aspects of compassionate care are delivered first-hand through the Dr. Satoru Izutsu Humanism in Medicine Speaker Series. Last week, JABSOM first-year medical students met with a panel of patients with chronic cardiac disorders who shared their perspectives following the care they received.
Organized by the Gold Humanism Honor Society chapter at JABSOM, first-year medical students met Philip McManis, Maurice Hutchinson, and Julian Keikilani Ako. The patients shared their own experiences in healthcare for cardiovascular disease, which was eye-opening for JABSOM's doctors-to-be.
" I would say it was a really interesting perspective to see from the patient side the things they really care about," said Micah Heimuli. “As medical students, we have things we prioritize and think about when a patient comes in. Still, it's interesting to hear about the other aspects of their lives that are very important to them. The patient panel provided a really cool perspective, and it was something that I enjoyed."
" It was really good listening to the three different panelists and seeing their different perspectives when it comes to life, how they approach their diagnosis, and how they decided to deal with that emotionally and mentally," said Ma Carmela Therese Anagaran. "It also brought awareness of what we as future physicians need to look into when providing care for our patients, especially when it comes to what they prioritize in life."
While JABSOM students soaked in the knowledge, the patients were happy to share their stories.
"I enjoyed the session very much and actually learned a great deal from the students and my co-panelists," Ako said. "The young people represent the future of healthcare, and so it's valuable for us to hear their perspectives on different topics."
"I really enjoyed today's panel discussion and want to thank you so very much for inviting me to participate in it again this year," said Hutchinson.
“It always is such a wonderful experience with you all," said McManis.
“The perspectives shared by Mr. Ako, Mr. Hutchinson and Mr. McManis, offered valuable lessons in humanistic and professional development for our students as future physicians” said Takashi Matsui, MD2 co-course director.
