Art as Learning Tools for Medical Education

Abstract

The literature has identified promising findings regarding the application of methodology using visual art to develop the cognitive skill of observation and description to enhance criti- cal thinking among medical students. Colleges and Universities across the United States are applying different method and practice in medical education with positive results. The introduction of Medical Humanities (MH) also in Italy is stimulating the use of the humanistic approach and the Arts in the Medical Education sector for the formation of reflective thinking and the development of empathy. In this contribute we present the Italian experience and results about using art as learning tool in different space of medical education: in the medicine and nursing curriculum, in Family Medicine course, in Hospital and palliative care training.