Purpose
Mechanistic case diagram (MCD) was recommended for increasing the depth of understanding of disease, but with few articles on its specific methods. We address the experience of making MCD in the fullest depth to identify the pros and cons of using MCDs in such ways. Methods: During problem-based learning, we gave guidelines of MCD for its mechanistic exploration from subcellular processes to clinical features, being laid out in as much detail as possible. To understand the students’ attitudes and depth of study using MCDs, we analyzed the results of a questionnaire in an open format about experiencing MCDs and examined the resulting products. Results: Through the responses to questionnaire, we found several favorable outcomes, major of which was deeper insight and comprehensive understanding of disease facilitated by the process of making well-organized diagram. The main disadvantages of these guidelines were the feeling of too much workload and difficulty of finding mechanisms. Students gave suggestions to overcome these problems: cautious reading of comprehensive texts, additional guidance from staff about depth and focus of mechanisms, and cooperative group work. From the analysis of maps, we recognized there should be allowance of diversities in the appearance of maps and many hypothetical connections, which could be related to an insufficient understanding of mechanisms in nature. Conclusion: The more detailed an MCD task is, the better students can become acquainted with deep knowledges. However, this advantage should be balanced by the results that there are many ensuing difficulties for the work and deliberate help plans should be prepared.

The purpose of this study was to explore the differentiation of common personality profiles and defense mechanisms between medicine and surgery specialist groups. The authors evaluated the defense mechanisms of the specialist by using Ewha Defense Mechanisms Test. The authors compared the defense mechanisms between two groups(medicine and surgery specialist groups) who are employed Soonchunhyang university hospital at 2000. First, There were significant differences in mean scores of the defense mechanisms ratings. For the surgery groups, projection and show-off were significantly higher than in the medicine group, and for the medicine groups, altruism was significantly higher than surgery groups. Second, Compared of maturity level between two groups, the medicine group used mature defense significantly. Third, We compared of major defense mechanisms between two groups. Surgery groups used show-off as a major defense mechanisms in significantly higher frequency than the medicine groups. This results were reflect that surgery group have property of apprentice system and dramatical therapeutic approach. The results seem to be useful in understanding specialist's optimal character for specific specialities that were selected by evaluating the differences of the common characteristics and coping mechanisms of each specialty group.

The purpose of this study was to explore the differentiation of common personality profiles and defense mechanisms between medicine and surgery resident groups. The authors evaluated the defense mechanisms of the residents by using Ewha Defense Mechanisms Test. The authors compared the defense mechanisms between two groups (medicine and surgery resident groups) who were training at SoonChunHyang University hospital in 1999. First, There were significant differences in mean scores of the defense mechanisms ratings. For the surgery group, identification and show-off were significantly higher than in the medicine group. Secondly, the differences of defense mechanism ratings, which were divided by maturity level between the two groups, were significantly higher using neurotic defense of the surgery group. Thirdly, the authors compared the frequency of major defense mechanisms of the two groups. The surgery group used identification, show-off and sublimation as major defense mechanisms in higher frequency than the medicine group. This result reflects on the fact that the surgery group has exact an apprentice discipline and dramatical therapeutic approach. The results seem to be useful in understanding the resident's optimal character for specific specialties that were selected by evaluating the differences of the common characteristics and coping mechanisms of each specialty group.