Humanities in Medical Education

Abstract

Due to technological and scientific advances, there are worrying concerns regarding the wide rifts between the patient and doctor relationship. In the process, there is a growing fear that the humane aspects of medicine, namely the empathy, care and compassion are being affected. Importance of humanities in medical education needs emphasis, in such circumstances, we need to realise that science of medicine is just not going to be enough to alleviate the physical suffering of our patients; it is the physician who can make a great difference in the patient care by being compassionate and providing comfort and solace to the suffering. Need of the hour for doctors are to provide ‘humane’ care to patients, with the understanding, of an interpretative ability, insight and ethical sensitivity. This in turn enhances the patient's ability to cope with illness, in an era of technical advancements and robust treatment strategies. Incorporating humanities into medicine bring a greater sense of purpose and meaning to the practice of medicine because the practice of medicine is most unique as compared with other consumer services, in that it is very personal; patients relinquish their pain, most private emotions and fears and their modesty to physicians. At the same time, education in the humanities can broaden the student's scientific perspective, and help clinicians in conducting critical, interpretive and interpersonal tasks. Moreover, medical humanities as a branch can help empower physicians to be great advocates for their patients, and to serve their calling with humility and gratitude. In light of this, the current review addresses the potential role of humanities in a medical curriculum.