Comparison of the characteristics of the medical humanities education between Chinese and American medical colleges and its enlightenment

Abstract

American medical colleges attach great importance to the humanistic education. The rich humanities curriculum is fully integrated into the teaching practice thus the mutual penetration of medicine and the humanities is achieved. They have specific and detailed examination evaluation system and the teaching method was more practical and participatory. By contrast, most of the medical colleges in our country neglect the humanities construction and the cultivation of medical students' humanistic spirit. The coverage of the humanities curriculum is relatively narrow and the faculty is insufficient. We should promote the development of humanistic education, attach importance to the construction of medical humanities, set up appropriate curriculum system , increase the investment in faculty and reform the teaching method and examination method. Key words: Medical education; Humanism; Comparison; Enlightenment