title: Medical education and the arts: a survey of U.S. medical schools.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although the literary arts initiated the movement to include the humanities in medical education, little is known about the incorporation of other art forms.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  A study was designed to determine the variety of arts-related activities in U.S. medical schools.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaires were mailed twice to each of the U.S. medical school deans requesting information about arts-related required and elective courses, extracurricular activities, course and activity titles, and funding sources.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 100 respondents (78%), 21 offer arts-related required courses, 42 offer electives, and 89 offer extracurricular activities. School-based funds were listed in 67 schools and endowments in 13.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exposure to a variety of the arts is commonplace in U.S. medical schools. Almost half the schools involve the arts in the curriculum and over two thirds support arts-related extracurricular programs. Further investigation is necessary to determine the numbers of students involved, degree of involvement, and the impact on learning and practice.
authors.affiliation: Tulane University School of Medicine, 1440 Canal Street, TB53,  New Orleans, Louisiana70112-2715, USA.
authors.forename: Mathew A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Strickland
authors.forename: Cecilia T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Gambala
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rodenhauser
mesh_terms: D001154:Art; D003479:Curriculum; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008091:Literature; D012577:Schools, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States