Studies have shown that physicians with exposure and background in the humanities are more empathetic, ethical, expressive and even healthier. Recently, medical school curricula across the country have begun to emphasize communication, teamwork, problem solving and humanistic care, as the dichotomous view of the sciences as a separate entity from art and literature is becoming obsolete.
My preclinical schedule at Sidney Kimmel Medical College consisted of lectures, exams, case-based group learning and clinical skills practice with standardized patients. Amid a seemingly science-focused curriculum, however, was mandatory longitudinal exposure to the humanities. We were free to choose courses that piqued our interest amongst over a dozen options. As a native of Washington D.C. and frequent museumgoer, I chose The Art of Observation as one of my humanities courses.
The Art of Observation course took place in a museum and emphasized the parallels between art and medicine, in particular, the value of observational astuteness. Sessions at the museum taught us to observe art and photographs to recognize patterns and discern the tone and mood of each piece with the ultimate goal of heightening our emotional intelligence. At first, it felt unnatural to stare at a painting for fifteen minutes in silence; nevertheless, I continued to notice new characteristics in each painting, including previously overlooked colors, movements, shading, height and texture.
Yale School of Medicine’s Dr. Irwin Braverman developed The Art of Observation course in the late 1990s after discovering that medical students’ observational skills can be enhanced through visual training, a practice which involves looking at paintings and verbalizing one’s findings. A follow-up study found that medical students who described paintings based on visual evidence scored higher on a test which required a detailed description of photographed disease states, as compared to their peers who did not take the art course.
Since the release of Dr. Braverman’s studies, many medical schools have begun to incorporate art courses into their curricula. In 2019, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center published a study regarding their Art of Observation course, with three principal findings among participants: heightened observational skills, development of empathy and a reduction in burnout. Each of these three outcomes could have tangible effects on the practices of future clinicians. In the field of radiology, for example, trainees who study fine arts earlier in their training are better able to find abnormalities with enhanced perceptive skills. What’s more, art-based teaching allows clinicians to explore emotional experiences in medicine to enhance their empathy and connect with patients. Finally, studies have shown that art therapy significantly reduces burnout in healthcare workers and subsequently promotes resilience.
In the practice of medicine, fine details and broad concepts are intertwined; detail-oriented observational skills are combined with empathic emotional connection to obtain a holistic patient view. My personal experience in The Art of Observation course has already had far-reaching impacts on both my medical education as well as my appreciation for art. In the past, when I first looked at a painting I focused on specific figures with extravagant clothing or large trees in the background; now, after several minutes of absorbing a painting, I am able to transform a seemingly still image into a dynamic story.
In my medical practice, I’ve also noticed a number of changes: when viewing radiology images, for example, I am able to appreciate the small details on a study and synthesize them in context to tell a broader patient story. In my case-based learning group, I noticed that The Art of Observation course helped me develop stronger observational skills, as I now more often notice small changes in lab values and clinical picture nuances. Finally, my practice in the clinic has been similarly transformed. I still begin my visits by asking targeted questions regarding a patient’s chief complaint: “When did your pain start? Does your pain radiate anywhere? Can you describe what the pain feels like?” Thereafter, however, I have found comfort in applying details from the physical exam and history to ask questions that I previously would not have considered. These skills have allowed me to better formulate a cohesive picture of a patient’s presentation to understand the broader context of their health.
Medical students are thrust into a world filled with the humanities regardless of whether they previously appreciated the arts. Art and medicine are inextricably linked, and medical students benefit from having art-based curricula incorporated into their education. This experience in the humanities continues to strengthen my empathy, understanding of patients and emotional intelligence. Mere hours in an art museum can truly change one’s perspective in medicine.
Image credit: Untitled (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) by Daniel Feivor
Medical Student Editor and Contributing Writer
Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
Esika is a medical student at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Class of 2025. She attended Penn State University for premedical studies. She enjoys biking, going to museums, and trying new restaurants in her free time.