Medical students as role-playing patients : a model for teaching personality styles in the medical setting.

"Personality Styles in the Medical Setting," a seminar at the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine during the third-year psychiatric clerkship, has proved efficient, educational, and enjoyable for students and instructor. The seminar teaches an approach to ivorking with a variety of patient personality styles in medical settings. Students role-play patients and doctors during simulated medical interviews, using special Patient Profile Sheets as guidelines for specific personality styles. In postinterview discussions, the students learn a process for gaining insight into the patient's behavior and the doctor's common reactions. A Doctor Review Sheet summarizes effective ways to work with that personality type to achieve a good doctor-patient relationship that will ultimately contribute to better medical care.