The Human Touch: The Importance of Using the Arts in Teaching Psychiatric Concepts-View Presentation

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The transcript captures a discussion on integrating arts into psychiatry education, highlighting presentations by psychiatrists from Naval Medical Center San Diego. The panel focuses on using arts, particularly literature and film, to enhance understanding in psychiatric training. The panelists share personal insights and experiences, such as using Moby Dick to explore broader themes of human experience beyond scientific diagrams. Dr. Nisan uses Moby Dick as an example to discuss the importance of broad reading in understanding diverse perspectives, emphasizing not just focusing on high-yield medical content but exploring literature that can offer deeper insights into human conditions and emotions.<br /><br />Dr. Leshin dives into the portrayal of psychiatry in films, highlighting various stereotypes and discussing the educational utility of films in teaching cultural competencies and psychopathology. She emphasizes that films can act as a tool for understanding patient perspectives and cross-cultural psychiatry, citing several examples, including Encanto and Everything Everywhere All at Once, which provide cultural insights and explore complex emotional and mental health themes.<br /><br />Dr. Lochner presents a course where residents analyze fictional characters as if they were psychiatric patients, allowing them to explore complex cases they may not encounter frequently. This exercise helps highlight the gray areas in psychiatric evaluation and decision-making, fostering interactive and insightful discussions among residents.<br /><br />The session concludes with a Q&A, where the panel discusses challenges in engaging trainees and patients with literature and media, emphasizing the ongoing need for mentorship and exploration beyond traditional high-yield focuses in medical education. Such approaches are recognized as enriching the educational experience and offering meaningful ways to connect with patients across cultures.

Keywords

arts integration

psychiatry education

Naval Medical Center San Diego

literature and film

Moby Dick

diverse perspectives

cultural competencies

cross-cultural psychiatry

fictional characters

psychiatric training

mentorship