NSU Medical School Launches Art Observation Program for Student Doctors

FT. LAUDERDALE-DAVIE, Fla. — What do doctors and art lovers have in common? Both spend a lot of time observing fine details. Through observation, an art enthusiast can truly appreciate a painting or sculpture, while a doctor can better diagnose a patient.

Using this theory, Nova Southeastern University’s medical school, the College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM), recently launched a new program called Art Observation that aims to train medical students on techniques to better observe their patients through an examination of artwork.

“Art and medicine can go hand in hand,” said Dianna L. Silvagni, J.D., a COM clinical assistant professor of medical education who created the program, which will be launched in the fall. “By observing and discussing works of art and art principles, students can develop new and effective skills to observe their patients.”

NSU medical students will have access to artwork through the Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University. The course will combine hands-on training with facilitated clinical discussions about utilizing art observation principles to observe patients. The observation training will include lessons about art principles such as line, color, balance, and symmetry. In all, students will spend eight hours of actual observation in four sessions and be given both a pre- and post-course exam.

Other professions, including NSU’s Center for Psychological Studies and representatives from the medical school’s Lifelong Learning Institute, will also participate so students have various perspectives.  There is also an elective online version for fourth-year medical students on rotations.

According to a 2008 Harvard Medical School study, medical students enrolled in an art observation course have increased their observation skills by 38 percent.

“Aside from being better doctors, art can help our medical students develop an appreciation for art and other professions,” Silvagni said.

Silvagni said this program will also be launched at NSU’s College of Health Care Sciences, which includes such disciplines as physical therapy, physician assistant, occupational therapy, etc. The goal is to make this program interprofessional, so all health care students have the opportunity to learn from each other and incorporate team building.

###

About NSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine:  For students pursuing their education at Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU-COM), the matriculation experience has proven to be both challenging and rewarding. By combining the most contemporary teaching modalities with the newest technology, our students are assured of obtaining the most comprehensive education possible. Thanks to the synergistic energy of our students, faculty members, and staff members of all of our programs, the pursuit of excellence has become a daily reality at NSU-COM. http://medicine.nova.edu/

About Nova Southeastern University: Situated on 300 beautiful acres in Davie, Florida, Nova Southeastern University is a dynamic fully accredited research institution dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs at all levels.  NSU is the eighth largest not-for-profit independent institution nationally with more than 28,000 students. NSU awards associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, doctoral and first-professional degrees in a wide range of fields. Classified as a research university with “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, NSU is one of only 37 universities nationwide to also be awarded Carnegie’s Community Engagement Classification.  www.nova.edu

Media Contact:
Ken Ma, MBA, NSU Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5408 (office), 954-621-7961 (cell), ken.ma@nova.edu