Health & Medical Humanities
The health humanities, also known as medical humanities, is an interdisciplinary field of study in which the arts, humanities, and social sciences are applied to issues of health and health care. The visual and performing arts, sociology, anthropology, literature, history, ethics, law, and other related disciplines fall under this umbrella. The health humanities provide practicing and future healthcare providers and biomedical scientists opportunities to explore provider-patient communication, social determinants of health, cultural sensitivity, patient perspectives, implicit bias, professionalism, resiliency, patient- and family-centered care and other topics that generate enhanced critical analysis, dialogue, observation, and reflection. Acquisition of these skills by practitioners and trainees translates into compassionate, patient- and family-centered care and, ultimately, improved patient satisfaction and outcomes. Practitioners and trainees can also practice mindfulness and self-care to prevent burnout and maintain empathy through health humanities programs that foster self-awareness, self-expression, and reflection.
"Key to Health" - C. Wayne Weart Apothecary Trade Cards, 1870-1920