| In an era where the medical field is revisiting its roots as a science and an art, Medical Humanities has the capability of engaging people in conversation around the topic of humane medicine. The integration of the arts and humanities increases tolerance of diversity, depth of human understanding, an empathy and capacity to care. This dissertation includes eight lessons that integrate the arts and humanities with focused learning strategies based on six humanistic skills: social amenities, verbal communication, nonverbal communication, observational, humanistic, and self-reflection. These lessons serve as a template for a curriculum that can be used in a variety of teaching scenarios: pre-medical, medical, nursing students and on-going education for healthcare providers.; The lessons utilize active learning strategies: discussion, analysis, critical thinking, and synthesis to engage participants. They are based on a heuristic pedagogy where specific examples and tasks aim to evoke a specific understanding from learners. The lessons draw on four sources from the arts and humanities: literature, film, photography, and music. These are chosen because of their potential power to sensitize people to certain realities, increase social consciousness, and enlighten shared values as a society. Reading literature provokes insights and stimulates discussion. Using film as content material allows participants to become more fully engaged in the life, transition, or transformation of a character or idea. Music facilitates the tone of a particular exercise, creating an environment for reflection. Finally, photography serves as a visual work of art that encourages a dialogue between subject and viewer.; The arts and humanities do more than complement medical science; they inform and guide providers to put the theory of humane medicine into practice. This is achieved in part by a "consilience," i.e., a unity of knowledge between medicine and the arts and humanities. This "consilience" challenges each provider to assess his/her role in delivering holistic medicine. It sets before them a mandate, a covenant, and a public promise to not only give competent care but also, practice compassionate and just healthcare. |
