Arts-related activities across U.S. medical schools: a follow-up study.
BACKGROUND
The authors' 2001 survey of the variety of arts-related activities incorporated by U.S. medical schools revealed expansion far beyond the literary arts introduced three decades ago.


OBJECTIVE
A 2002 survey of all U.S. medical schools was designed to assess student involvement in arts-related activities in greater depth.


METHODS
Questionnaires were mailed in summer 2002 to all U.S. medical school deans asking about characteristics of arts-related activities, degree and nature of student participation, and if specific outcomes are assessed.


RESULTS
The 65% response rate indicates that over half of U.S. medical schools involve the arts in learning activities. Most include literature, visual arts, performing arts, and/or music. Active participation exceeds passive. Electives typically involve 15-18 students. School-based funding predominates. Assessment for increased well-being, clinical skills, and humanism is rare.


CONCLUSIONS
Utilization of the arts serves four major functions: (a) enhancement of student well-being, (b) improvement of clinical skills, (c) promotion of humanism, and (d) employment by students as a teaching tool.
Rodenhauser
Paul
P
Department of Psychiatry and Neurology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112-2715, USA. prodenh@tulane.edu
Strickland
Mathew A
MA
Gambala
Cecilia T
CT
D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum / Q000592:standards*; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006808:Humanism; D006801:Humans; D008512:Medicine in the Arts; D012577:Schools, Medical / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013664:Teaching Materials; D014481:United States