The use of video tape in teaching how psychological factors influence nutritional status in chronic/terminal illness

Abstract

The medical students of Louisiana State University Medical School in New Orleans are required to take a clinical nutrition course in their senior year. In 1989, audio-visual media were used to introduce the students to the ways that the psychological aspects of chronic/terminal illness can influence nutritional status. In order to illustrate this topic, a patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) was interviewed by a psychiatrist, internist, and a dietitian over several weeks. The interviews were videotaped and the videotape was edited to 25 minutes to address specific areas including psychiatric symptomatology, coping with illness, attitude towards treatment, diet and nutritional status, and results of the anthropometric and clinical exams. During the nutrition course, the videotape was presented to the students with subsequent discussion facilitated by the psychiatrist. The students agreed the subject was favorably presented and had increased their understanding of psychological factors in physical illness. The pre- and post-film examinations suggested the students were already aware of many of the psychological issues of chronic/terminal illness. The videotaped interview of a real person diagnosed with a chronic/terminal illness was found to be useful in introducing a difficult subject within a limited course schedule.