Confronting the “hidden curriculum” in medical school

“To me, the hidden curriculum is the little things — the off-side comments, the facial expressions. It’s trying to breed a certain type of physician, in a culture that says physicians should be infallible.” – Alexandra Morra, 4th year medical student

From the cafeteria to the clinic, medical students pick up many unspoken messages about physician attitudes and behaviour. Today, this “hidden curriculum” is increasingly under scrutiny for the signals it sends about the pressures of medicine and seeking help. In this episode, fourth year medical student Alexandra Morra talks about her experience with the “hidden curriculum”, and Dr. Caroline Gérin-Lajoie speaks with Dr. Geneviève Moineau, CEO of the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada, about how medical schools are confronting the issue.

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