Creating Alignment: How the Humanities Can Help Heal Physicians and Patients

Abstract

The medical humanities, an umbrella term for the fields of ethics, social science, and fine arts, are increasingly recognized as an important component of medical education. Since the Flexner report, the primacy of science and evidence-based medicine has replaced subjectivity and nuance. While this has been critical for standardization of care and patient safety, an exclusive emphasis on science in undergraduate medical education can devalue more humanistic pursuits. Modern medicine is now plagued with burnout, pandemics, and societal ills that permeate into medicine. Addressing these requires a thoughtful, holistic approach where we extend our sights beyond strict evidence-based medicine.