Name
Addressing the compassion crisis: The value of a medical student
instructional podcast and reflective session on the importance of
compassionate love in healthcare
Date & Time
Sunday, June 7, 2026, 4:57 PM - 5:12 PM
Location Name
Lamar A
Speakers
Authors
Carter Kubes, MCG Medical Student
Richard Sams, MCG Faculty
Joshua Elder, MCG Faculty
Daniel Good, MCG Medical Student
Ian McClish, MCG Medical Student
David Kim, MCG Medical Student
Mason Arbery, MCG Medical Student
Tyler Roberts, MCG Medical Student
Henry Moon, MCG Faculty
Presentation Topic(s)
Curriculum
Description
PURPOSE
Extensive research demonstrates there is a compassion crisis in healthcare.
This crisis contributes to poor health outcomes and increased provider
burnout. Current medical education lacks a structure to promote compassionate
care and address the importance of motivation. Previous research demonstrated
nurses, physicians, and patients believe compassionate love is the modus
operandi to high-quality healthcare. Medical students developed a novel
medical school curricular event focusing on the integration of compassionate
love into clinical practice and assessed student perceptions of the session.
It was integrated into a professional identity formation course.
METHODS
Student researchers designed and integrated a one-hour evidence-based small
group discussion into the pre-clerkship curriculum for 204 first-year medical
students. The session included an introductory podcast focusing on the
evidence for a compassion crisis in healthcare and perspectives of patients
and providers on the importance of being a loving and compassionate provider.
This was followed by guided small group discussion centered around the
concept of compassion in healthcare and the personal experiences of students
and faculty. A follow-up survey was sent to the medical students to evaluate
perceptions of the usefulness and importance of the session.
RESULTS
The response rate was 62%, the highest for the course. 89% of respondents
felt the session helped them grow in ways relevant as a developing physician.
83% gained tools or perspectives to manage professional or emotional
challenges. Twenty-two students provided positive narrative feedback,
highlighting the importance of sharing personal insight and learning from
faculty experiences.
CONCLUSIONS
The inclusion of a session on compassionate love in healthcare within the
pre-clerkship curriculum was well received and perceived to have a positive
impact on the students’ medical education experience. Compassion in
healthcare continues to be vital to both providers and patients alike. There
is an urgent need to emphasize compassionate love throughout medical
training.
Extensive research demonstrates there is a compassion crisis in healthcare.
This crisis contributes to poor health outcomes and increased provider
burnout. Current medical education lacks a structure to promote compassionate
care and address the importance of motivation. Previous research demonstrated
nurses, physicians, and patients believe compassionate love is the modus
operandi to high-quality healthcare. Medical students developed a novel
medical school curricular event focusing on the integration of compassionate
love into clinical practice and assessed student perceptions of the session.
It was integrated into a professional identity formation course.
METHODS
Student researchers designed and integrated a one-hour evidence-based small
group discussion into the pre-clerkship curriculum for 204 first-year medical
students. The session included an introductory podcast focusing on the
evidence for a compassion crisis in healthcare and perspectives of patients
and providers on the importance of being a loving and compassionate provider.
This was followed by guided small group discussion centered around the
concept of compassion in healthcare and the personal experiences of students
and faculty. A follow-up survey was sent to the medical students to evaluate
perceptions of the usefulness and importance of the session.
RESULTS
The response rate was 62%, the highest for the course. 89% of respondents
felt the session helped them grow in ways relevant as a developing physician.
83% gained tools or perspectives to manage professional or emotional
challenges. Twenty-two students provided positive narrative feedback,
highlighting the importance of sharing personal insight and learning from
faculty experiences.
CONCLUSIONS
The inclusion of a session on compassionate love in healthcare within the
pre-clerkship curriculum was well received and perceived to have a positive
impact on the students’ medical education experience. Compassion in
healthcare continues to be vital to both providers and patients alike. There
is an urgent need to emphasize compassionate love throughout medical
training.
Presentation Tag(s)
Student Presentation