AMWA Medical Humanities
Medicine and the humanities have been intertwined since antiquity. Many great physicians—among them Aristotle, Hippocrates, Maimonides, and Chekhov—left their mark not only on medicine but also on the arts and humanities, positioning medicine as an integral part of intellectual and cultural life. This blending of disciplines offers both an outlet for personal expression and a pathway to more empathetic, meaningful patient care.
AMWA celebrates a vibrant community of members who integrate the arts into their medical journeys. AMWA’s medical humanities initiatives encompass a range of creative pursuits—music, visual art, literature, history, and the performing arts—all inspired by their shared intersection with medicine.
Events
- July 25, 2024 11a-3p A Celebration of the Arts in Medicine
Humanities & Healing: An Arts in Medicine Journal, Vol I
In collaboration with Gloria Bachmann, M.D., Co-Chair of the AMWA Humanities Committee and Director of the Rutgers Women’s Health Institute, the Music & Medicine committee spearheaded the AMWA and Rutgers WHI-joint sponsored “Humanities and Healing: An Arts in Medicine Journal.”
Journal submissions showcase the considerable breadth of talent of our students and physicians across the humanities, including music, art, photography and dance. We hope that our journal can inspire and play a role in healing.
Medical Humanities Gains Traction in Medical Education, Scholarship, and Practice
Why are the humanities important in medicine? A growing body of literature suggests that engaging with the arts and social sciences enhances medical acumen, deepens empathy, and improves professional fulfillment. By exploring the human condition through literature, art, history, or philosophy, physicians and trainees gain a richer understanding of patients’ experiences of illness—its nature, causes, and impact—fostering more compassionate and effective care.
Medical Humanities Introduces Shared and Related Experiences
Medical training rightly emphasizes knowledge mastery and technical skill, often relying heavily on structure, protocols, and memorization. Yet, this focus can leave little room for the critical reflection and interpretive thinking found in disciplines like philosophy, literature, or law. The medical humanities help fill that gap—cultivating curiosity, perspective-taking, and moral imagination. Integrating these fields into medical education is not merely additive; it can enhance patient outcomes while deepening compassion and satisfaction for clinicians themselves.
AMWA proudly celebrates the role of the humanities in medicine through initiatives that highlight art, music, writing, film, dance, theater, and history. Our Artist-in-Residence Program has featured creators from diverse backgrounds who explore healing and humanity through many forms of artistic expression.