Thought Style of Students of a Medical School in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Teaching of Humanistic and Biomedical Thought Style Elements, with Equal Relevance, in a Biomedical Discipline

Abstract

The theoretical basis of this manuscript is the epistemological framework proposed by the Polish physician-philosopher Ludwik Fleck to the study of medical training during undergraduate periods. We assumed to know the teaching of humanistic and biomedical thought style elements with equal relevance, in a biomedical discipline in a traditional medical school. The study consisted of ethnographic observations of the teaching of a biomedical discipline and interviews with four students and one professor. Data generated resulted in the production of two narratives and identification of two main themes and subthemes through evidential analysis: (1) Thought collective: the interaction between medical school, curriculum, professor and student; (2) Thought style: biomedical and humanistic elements. We concluded that narratives of practical and theoretical-practical teaching of a biomedical discipline in a traditional medical school exposed the teaching of humanistic and biomedical thought style elements with equal relevance. The teaching of humanistic thought style elements took place through discussions of clinical cases on biomedical themes and through professors' words and examples in doctor-patient relationship. The knowledge generated by this article may be useful to medical professors and medical school authorities to improve medical training in order to best serve the health needs of the population.