Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 22, 2026
Examining Changes in HRV and Emotion Following Artmaking with Three Different Art Materials
Published on: January 11, 2020
Arts-related activities across U.S. medical schools: a follow-up study
Paul Rodenhauser1, Mathew A Strickland, Cecilia T Gambala
1Department of Psychiatry and Neurology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112-2715, USA. prodenh@tulane.edu
Background:
The authors' 2001 survey of the variety of arts-related activities incorporated by U.S. medical schools revealed expansion far beyond the literary arts introduced three decades ago.
Purpose:
A 2002 survey of all U.S. medical schools was designed to assess student involvement in arts-related activities in greater depth.
Methods:
Questionnaires were mailed in summer 2002 to all U.S. medical school deans asking about characteristics of arts-related activities, degree and nature of student participation, and if specific outcomes are assessed.
Results:
The 65% response rate indicates that over half of U.S. medical schools involve the arts in learning activities. Most include literature, visual arts, performing arts, and/or music. Active participation exceeds passive. Electives typically involve 15-18 students. School-based funding predominates. Assessment for increased well-being, clinical skills, and humanism is rare.
Conclusions:
Utilization of the arts serves four major functions: (a) enhancement of student well-being, (b) improvement of clinical skills, (c) promotion of humanism, and (d) employment by students as a teaching tool.