The University of Montpellier’s School of Medicine is launching a new course unit (UE) focused on empathy and the mental health of medical students
World Well-Being Day, celebrated on June 12, is an opportunity to learn about the new “Interpersonal Skills and Therapeutic Communication” course unit at the Montpellier-Nîmes Faculty of Medicine. Initiated by Dr. Amandine Luquiens and Professor Céline Bourgier, the curriculum focuses on empathy and offers students courses such as an introduction to meditation, theater workshops, and simulation workshops. This one-of-a-kind educational approach will be part of the students’ assessment as part of their degree program.
Why Teach Well-Being?
Since 2020, as part of their Clinical Competency Certificate (C3), medical students have been evaluated on the skills they acquire during clinical rotations—specifically, their interpersonal skills and empathy. After noting that, to date, no course was entirely dedicated to developing these specific skills—and also observing that students’ empathy tended to wane over the course of their studies—Dr. Amandine Luquiens and Prof. Céline Bourgier joined forces to lead this innovative educational project. The goal is to enable students to take care of themselves, just as the University and the Faculty do for them.
A project focused on the well-being of students
This new academic unit is a real asset for students, both for their personal and professional well-being. In fact, the modules are designed to help students feel mentally well. Structured around four main themes—“introduction to meditation,” “sharing of practices,” “therapeutic communication,” and “combating stigma in healthcare”—the course unit encourages open dialogue and helps students better understand communication within a team. Through workshops, theoretical courses, and talks by alumni, students are provided with tools to prevent psychosocial risks—whether for patients or for themselves. Furthermore, this course helps students develop the skills needed to improve the quality of care by instilling in them a person-centered approach rather than one focused solely on symptoms and pathologies.
“We are seeking to foster a sense of belonging among students—and even within the Faculty as a whole. The Faculty cares for its students and its students, and they must take care of themselves. We will therefore help them acquire tools that enable them both to protect themselves and to combat ‘emotional suppression’—a management strategy that doctors have used for many years to navigate the patient-caregiver relationship,” emphasizes Dr. Amandine Luquiens.
Well-being: The Faculty's Holistic Approach for Its Students
The introduction of the “Interpersonal Skills and Therapeutic Communication” course unit into the medical curriculum is an innovative educational initiative that is part of a comprehensive approach focused on the interpersonal skills and well-being of medical students. In fact, a theater workshop—now part of this course unit—has been held since 2013 in collaboration with the École Nationale Supérieure d’Art Dramatique de Montpellier to prepare students for delivering difficult news.
In addition, a week dedicated to well-being and relaxation called “Pep’s Week” is organized each year by the Montpellier Health Tutoring Association for PASS and LAS students. Each year, the event features a variety of activities, such as yoga sessions, board games, and sophrology workshops, led by qualified facilitators to foster opportunities for interaction and sharing among students and tutors.
This is proof, if any were needed, that the Faculty places an emphasis on the well-being of everyone: from professional conduct—including better management of relationships with peers and patients—to individual well-being, for a better work-life balance.
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