Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026
09:52
Setting Up a Stroke Team Algorithm and Conducting Simulation-based Training in the Emergency Department - A Practical Guide
Published on: January 15, 2017
17.1K
How Is Art Used to Train Surgeons? A Survey of 198 Surgery Residency Program Directors
Stephanie M Cohen1, Nova Chen2, Tara S Kent1
1Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Journal of Surgical Education
|February 26, 2025
Summary
Surgical program directors recognize the value of art in training, with many drawing for patients. However, formal art integration in residency programs remains rare due to barriers like lack of expertise and time.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Surgical Training
- Art in Medicine
Background:
- Art engagement in surgical training is informal and poorly understood.
- Current practices of visual aid use by surgical educators are not well-characterized.
- The role of artistic aptitude in residency applicant assessment is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate surgical educators' use of visual aids.
- To determine if artistic aptitude influences residency applicant assessment.
- To explore perspectives on incorporating art into surgical training and identify barriers.
Main Methods:
- A survey was distributed to program directors across various surgical specialties in the United States.
- Data was collected from September 2022 to June 2024.
- 198 program directors responded to the survey.
Main Results:
- Few residencies offer formal art activities like drawing or museum visits.
- A majority of program directors (66%) frequently draw for patients.
- Most directors (74-82%) believe drawing skills correlate with surgical technical skills.
Conclusions:
- Formal art-based activities are uncommon in surgical residency programs.
- Program directors perceive value in art-related exercises for surgical trainees.
- Future research should evaluate the effectiveness of art-based teaching strategies in surgical education.
