Art and Medicine Partnerships

A compilation of research, resources, and course that cultivate connections between art history and medical education developed from the 2016 Forum.

MOMA, NYC Image by Manuel Martagon

In 2016, the University of Texas at Dallas’s Edith O’Donnell Institute of Art History began an Art and Medicine resource collection website after the landmark Forum “The Art of Examination: Art Museum and Medical School Partnerships” sponsored by the O’Donnell Institute and hosted by MoMA in June 2016.

Embracing a more humanistic understanding of health and well-being is part of a new movement to improve physicians’ clinical training. By developing observation, critical thinking and communication skills, medical students relate these to diagnostic practices and their work with patients.

The use of original works of art from museum collections is a unique approach to engaging medical students, residents, physicians, and nurses in an innovative learning process. Medical schools are expanding their education programs by partnering with local art museums.

These resources are now housed at the Center for Visual Arts in Healthcare at Brigham & Women’s Hospital.

  • Resources

    Bibliography, list of over 125 program descriptions, and sample syllabi for art museum and medical school-partnered programs.

  • Courses

    The O’Donnell Institute partners with The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and the Dallas Museum of Art to engage medical students in observing, analyzing, and communicating about works of art to develop their diagnostic skills.

  • Video and Recordings

    Watch recorded lectures, interviews, and UT Dallas eLearning course for Art and Medicine.

  • Forum

    The Art of Examination: Art Museum and Medical School Partnerships Forum sponsored by the O’Donnell Institute and hosted by MoMA in June 2016.

 © 2022 The University of Texas at Dallas, Edith O’Donnell Institute of Art History