Helping students respond to stressful interactions with cancer patients and their families: a pilot program.

This pilot program was designed to help medical students improve their ability to respond to the psychological needs of cancer patients and their families. Third-year students on the hematology/oncology rotation were offered a series of seminars dealing with the psychological and social impact of cancer on patients and their families. The goal of these seminars was to help the students develop working knowledge, understanding, and skills for dealing with cancer patients and families. The seminars used didactic input, videotaped interactions, and guided discussion. Experienced counselors, with the help of an oncologist, led the seminars. Findings from this pilot program suggest that medical students can benefit from specific training in the psychosocial aspects of cancer.