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To be or not to be: An artist in medicineMICHAEL METZNER | EDUCATION | OCTOBER 16, 2014
“Why would an artist want to go to medical school?”
It was a good question, and one of my favorite questions asked of me during mymedical school interviews. I am what one might define as an artist, and yes, I reallywanted to go to medical school. I was a photographer, musician, composer, and actor. Iloved the arts and they were part of my everyday life. From performing on stage todirecting fashion photo shoots, I embraced my creative spirit.
However, I never saw my imaginative curiosity dwell within the arts alone. I alsoconsidered myself a scientist. The complex interactions of proteins and compounds toproduce changes in the human body were fascinating — thus it only made sense for meto attain degrees in both visual art and biochemistry. So there I was, in the middle of mymedical school interview, being asked why an artist would want to go to medicalschool. To me, the answer is quite simple: Medicine is an art.
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Throughout history there has been a rooted ideology that the arts and sciences wereone in the same. Scientists were artists and inventors – there were no preconceivedboundaries of what was possible in either world and in many respects, there was ablending of the two paradigms. The great minds in history have long spoken about theimportance of the arts within science, with Albert Einstein famously stating, “After acertain high level of technical skill is achieved, science and art tend to coalesce inesthetics, plasticity, and form. The greatest scientists are always artists as well.”
Medicine is no exception. As clinicians, we are asked to do what at times seemsimpossible. We have a very limited amount of time with a patient to diagnose anddevelop a treatment plan for an ailment. We must effectively communicate complexideas among colleagues and patients, all while showing empathy and ultimately doingwhat is best for the patient. Medicine is a field in which we are always learning andchallenging what we really understand.
Art students are trained to develop critical thinking and observational skills that areneeded to extrapolate information from the physical and emotional realms around us.We are to take these observations and create and communicate an idea that has neverbeen synthesized before. Artists often reinvent themselves through their artwork and aretrained to observe the world with extreme detail — from color to line, and light toshadow. These practiced qualities can be translated directly into the everyday lives of aphysician. To be a good physician, most would agree that you must be a critical thinker,keen observer, and be able to connect and communicate with your patients. The betterthe communicator, the better the physician.
Having an art background makes sense within medicine. In fact, studies have shownthat formal fine art training with medical students improve their diagnostic skills. Manymedical schools around the country are incorporating these artistic workshops into theircurriculum and are learning the importance of the arts in medical education.
The art of medicine is beyond a learned algorithm, it is a human connection with apatient. Although I agree about the importance of evidence based medicine, there aremany times we must look more in depth than simply putting a checkmark bypredetermined questions for a history and physical. It is very easy to get into themonotonous habit of rattling off a number of impersonal questions to get the diagnosiswith completely missing what might be the actual cause of the illness.
It is no wonder that many diagnoses go undetected, as we do not have time in manycases to actually connect with, and listen to our patients. There are also many timeswhen we reach the limits of what modern medicine can provide. In these instances,when no medicines benefit, we must remember that the human connection we havewith our patient is powerful and is the foundation to the art of medicine.
I believe that everyone is an artist, although some have not yet uncovered their talents.Physicians and other health care providers must remember that not every patient fitsinto a simple box and we must continue to be like an artist — to challenge what weknow, observe and critically think about what we see, and communicate effectively withthose around us. As now a third year medical student, I am glad that I am an artist whoentered the field of medicine. Throughout my rotations I have seen so many instanceswhere the lines of art and science blend together.
I challenge those in health care to see open their eyes and realize that we all can beconsidered artists in medicine. Dr. William Osler said it best when he stated, “Thepractice of medicine is an art, not a trade; a calling, not a business; a calling which yourheart will be exercised equally with your head. Often the best part of your work will havenothing to do with potions and powders, but with the exercise of an influence of thestrong upon the weak, of the righteous upon the wicked, of the wise upon the foolish.There is no more difficult art to acquire than the art of observation.”
Michael Metzner is a medical student.
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