Art of medicine art as medicine and art for medical education

摘要

How often have we heard the phrase “the art and science of medicine?” We may consider how medical practice is, in part, “art” i.e. an aspect of one’s practice of medicine, how it can promote healing, as well as how art can enhance the formation of future doctors. Throughout this commentary I base my proposals on the notion that art can impact trainees and physicians directly and that they may, in turn, promote healing in patients either indirectly by being a “whole person-doctor” or directly by integrating various forms of art therapy into their treatment. At McGill Programs in Whole Person Care our approach is based on the concept that it takes the “whole person” of the clinician to treat the “whole person-patient.” (for the mission statement see: www.mcgill.ca/wholepersoncare)