Table 2 Outcome of the core curriculum for behavioral science/medicine in Japanese undergraduate medical education

1. Acquire basic knowledge of shaping, motivation, stress, and life-span development.

2. Acquire basic theories and methodologies for maintaining and promoting health and basic knowledge of social stress and health.

3. Acquire basic knowledge of the effects of social and cultural factors on health.

4. Understand the role of communication in (1) maintaining and promoting health and (2) acquire methods for promoting it.

5. Acquire theory and actual knowledge related to responses to stress (stress coping and stress management).

6. Develop the ability to devise (1) strategies for treating hypothetical cases of difficult situations and (2) guidance strategies for maintaining and promoting health by applying the above knowledge and theoretical understanding.

7. Develop the ability to motivate and offer guidance to people so that they can behave in a way that will help them to live healthy lives.