Case Study: The Art of Caring at White Memorial Hospital

In our first case study, we describe a novel application of human-centered design to medical education curriculum development with our partners at White Memorial Hospital in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles.

Staff, residents, and community members were engaged in designing an OB/GYN graduate medical education curriculum to support practices of healing-centered communication and mutual support. These social aspects of care are known to contribute to positive patient outcomes and clinician wellbeing.

Our study illustrates the value of a learning community to residents and suggests future cohorts be resident-led and offer opportunities to engage in the community outside of the clinic/hospital. Findings underscore the need for clinical educators to address tensions between values of authenticity and connection that define “The Art of Caring” and values of efficiency and performance that are rewarded in Western medicine.

Click here for a downloadable PDF of the Art of Caring Case Study.