Short Abstract:

Being aware of debates and insights from the social sciences is vital for the development of our future medical doctors. This round table will share experiences and insights amongst those who teach anthropology and sociology to medical students.

Long Abstract:

The University of Edinburgh is now in its sixth year of teaching an Intercalated Degree in Anthropology and Sociology of Medicine specifically to medical students. This year-long taught degree programme is designed as much more than just an introduction, but rather to systematically strengthen medical students' appreciation of, and application of, these social sciences in both theory and practice: A combination of anthropology and sociology courses are combined with the writing of an 8,000 word dissertation. The idea for the degree emerged from the conviction that the understanding of the social and political dynamics of medicine is vital – as important as the biological sciences – for the personal and professional development of our future doctors.

In this round table we will open discussion into key issues around this process. Presenters - both from Edinburgh, and other institutions - will share their experiences of teaching medical students and the issues that they face. Questions might include: What are the institutional facilitators and barriers to such a programme of study? Can anthropology and sociology stand in for a general training in the social sciences? What are the strengths and issues faced when approaching the teaching in itself as an interdisciplinary process - that is, beyond just an introduction for medical students in our own narrow disciplinary fields? What might the curricula look like, and how best might we engage with medicine?