Showcasing collaboration between medicine and the arts

18 Apr 2019

18 April 2019

The National Gallery of Australia’s (NGA) flagship program, Artmed, was the focus of the event at UWA’s Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery featuring NGA Educators Frances Wild and Ingrid Anderson, and Australian National University Medical School Associate Professor Christine Phillips.

Attendees included medical, nursing and allied health academics and curators from WA universities.

“Health faculties and hospitals are recognising the potential art has to become a powerful catalyst for thinking deeply about the human experience, which is leading to partnering with art galleries to create real change in the way healthcare practitioners deliver patient-centred care,” Frances said.

This recognition and understanding led to the development of the NGA’s Artmed program in 2009.

The program involves medical and health professional students visiting the gallery in small groups to discuss works of art in relation to areas of curriculum, in particular the sphere of ethics, law and human rights.

“Traditionally, medical and healthcare students and graduates have been selected for their aptitude in the sciences, however those who can merge lessons from the humanities with their science acumen often become the best doctors and healthcare professionals,” Frances said.

“The Artmed program enables gallery educators to facilitate a comprehensive discussion during the visit, choosing works of art that relate closely to the topic area and others that help expand the students’ conceptual abilities.”

St John of God Health Care Arts and Health Group Coordinator Deborah Pearson said the program enabled participants to see the learning potential that comes with art discussions and connections to contemporary issues in healthcare such as mental health, end of life care and team work.

“A core component of the St John of God Health Care Arts and Health philosophy is to provide leadership in the sector, encouraging others to be leaders in arts and health,” Deborah said.

“This event is a demonstration of our continuing leadership in arts and health which includes establishing and chairing the WA Arts and Health Consortium.”