Helping medical students understand postpartum psychosis through the prism of "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the use of literature to illustrate a postpartum depression lecture.

METHODS: Medical students and faculty facilitators were surveyed after small group discussions.

RESULTS: Students' ratings and comments were positive, and faculty comments were neutral to positive.

CONCLUSION: Students valued this teaching method, while faculty observations reflected challenges of assessing literature's contributions to medical education in improving empathy and treatment outcome.