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A Tale of Two Countries: Innovation and Collaboration Aimed at Changing the Culture of Medicine in Uruguay

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Abstract

This is a case study of a program to address professionalism at the Universidad de la República in Uruguay. We describe a five-year ongoing international collaboration. Relevant characteristics of the context, the program components, activities, and results were analyzed. The expected outcomes were to introduce standards of professional practices in the curricula of medical students and residents and the implementation of a program that might lead to a significant change in the culture of medicine in the University. Traditional didactics, interactive theater, and professional development workshops, issues such as teamwork and communication, professional behavior, and the culture of medicine, and physician wellness were addressed. A total of 359 faculty members, general practitioners, stakeholders, and other healthcare professionals (nurses, psychologists, social workers) participated in the intervention. The process led to specific achievements including new content in the curricula, the use of educational innovations to address issues of professionalism, a growing institutional culture of accountability, and the establishment of new rules and regulations. The strategies and interventions followed in the case of Uruguay can serve as a model to other developing countries to promote physician professionalism, wellness, and joy.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Dr. Corina Puppo, Dr. Fernando Tomasina, and the following institutions: Center of Professional Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, the George Washington University, and the Uruguayan Medical Psychology Society.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Psychology Department, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Hospital de Clínicas piso15, Av. Italia 2870, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay

    Juan J. Dapueto & Mercedes Viera

  2. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA

    Charles Samenow & Jeffrey Steiger

  3. Center for Professional Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA

    William H. Swiggart

Authors
  1. Juan J. Dapueto
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  2. Mercedes Viera
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  3. Charles Samenow
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  4. William H. Swiggart
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  5. Jeffrey Steiger
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Juan J. Dapueto.

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On behalf of all authors the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

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The manuscript does not report research on human subjects. It is exempt of ethical approval.

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Dapueto, J.J., Viera, M., Samenow, C. et al. A Tale of Two Countries: Innovation and Collaboration Aimed at Changing the Culture of Medicine in Uruguay. HEC Forum 30, 329–339 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10730-018-9351-x

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