Sheila Naghshineh|Janet P. Hafler|Alexa Miller|María Blanco|Stuart R. Lipsitz|Rachel P. Dubroff|Shahram Khoshbin|Joel T. Katz
Formal Art Observation Training Improves Medical Students’ Visual Diagnostic Skills
Brigham and Women's Hospital|Harvard University|Tufts University|Wellesley College|Brigham and Women's Hospital|Harvard University|New York Hospital Queens|Columbia University Irving Medical Center|NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital|Brigham and Women's Hospital|Harvard University|Brigham and Women's Hospital
despite evidence inadequate physical examination skills among medical students teaching skills declined one method enhancing inspection skills teaching visual literacy ability reason physiology pathophysiology careful unbiased observationto improve students visual acumen structured observation artworks understanding fine arts concepts applying skills patient careprospective partially randomized pre vs postcourse evaluation using mixedmethods data analysistwentyfour preclinical student participants compared 34 classmates similar stage trainingtraining eye improving art physical diagnosis consists eight paired sessions art observation exercises didactics integrate fine arts concepts physical diagnosis topics elective life drawing sessionthe frequency accurate observations 1h visual skills examination used evaluate pre vs postcourse descriptions patient photographs art imagery content analysis used identify thematic categories assessments blinded study group pre vs postcourse evaluationfollowing course class participants increased total mean number observations compared controls 541 063 vs 036 053 p 00001 increased sophistication descriptions artistic clinical imagery doseresponse found attended eight sessions compared participants attended seven fewer sessions 631 081 276 12 respectively p 003this interdisciplinary course improved participants capacity make accurate observations art physical findings