Musikterapi och andra former av kultur är inte bara bra för patienterna - det är också bra för läkarstudenterna, skriver Waqas Ullah Khan i JAMA Neurology (september 2017). Därför introduceras nu musikterapi i kursplanen vid flera ledande medicinska utbildningar.
Research shows that arts-based medical therapies can have a significant influence on improving the health care outcomes and experience of patients, medical students, and hospital staff. In several leading medical schools and teaching hospitals around the world, expressive writing, drama, and visual art classes together with exposure to music therapy programs are being incorporated into the curriculum. From these educational experiences, it has been found that medical students display better clinical observation, listening, and critical thinking skills and demonstrate greater empathy toward patients. For specific arts-based therapy programs, theatrical performance participation can improve team building, improvisation, and communication skills among medical students.
Khans artikel "Increasing Public Health Awareness of and Capacity for Arts-Based Therapy in Medicine" kan läsas här.