RELATIONSHIP DYNAMICS LECTURE - A MODEL FOR EDUCATING PHYSICIANS

Often-quoted divorce statistics portray American marriages as highly s tressed relationships that leave few survivors. The ''medical marriage '' is no less stressed than marriages in general, but a relationship b etween a doctor and spouse provides an additional dimension of tension . This study reviewed the impact of a 2-hour relationship dynamics lec ture presented to 459 medical students on a psychiatry clerkship and a ddressed family dynamics, relationship choice, and relationship dysfun ction. The study shows that this lecture on relationship dynamics has both professional and personal implications for medical students and i s a promising tool for relationship maintenance of the practicing phys ician. Furthermore, a lecture format such as that presented here provi des a vehicle for family therapy teaching for the practicing physician .