Medical schools throughout the globe understand the benefits of incorporating arts and humanities into their curriculum. They recognize art as a powerful education tool.1
The University of California at Irvine School of Medicine describes the purpose of their program in medical humanities and arts:
"The program’s goal is to show medical students how literature and the arts can help them better understand and empathize with their patients’ experiences; and ultimately help them treat their patients more humanely and effectively."2
Other medical schools believe in the value of including
arts and humanities in their curricula. According to NYU School of Medicine,
the value of this addition is clear:
According to Cheryl L. McLean, editor of the International Journal of the Creative Arts in Interdisciplinary Practice,
Also, art appreciation has been shown to improve team collaboration in medical settings.5 [1] State of the Field
Committee. (2009). State of the field report: Arts in healthcare 2009. Washington, DC:
Society for the Arts in Healthcare. [2] University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. Program in medical humanities and arts. https://www.meded.uci.edu/medhum/index.asp. Accessed February 1, 2015. [3] New York University School of Medicine. Mission statement. http://medhum.med.nyu.edu/. Accessed February 2, 2015. [4] Arts Crossing Borders. http://www.ccahtecrossingborders.blogspot.com. Accessed July 26, 2013. [5] Reilly JM, Ring J, Duke L. Visual thinking strategies: a new role for art in medical education. Fam Med. 2005;37(4):250-252. |