Medical Humanities: An Introduction

This textbook brings the humanities to students in order to evoke the humanity of students. It helps to form individuals who take charge of their own minds, who are free from narrow and unreflective forms of thought, and who act compassionately in their public and professional worlds. Using concepts and methods of the humanities, the book addresses undergraduate and premed students, medical students, and students in other health professions, as well as physicians and other healthcare practitioners. It encourages them to consider the ethical and existential issues related to the experience of disease, care of the dying, health policy, religion and health, and medical technology. Case studies, images, questions for discussion, and role-playing exercises help readers to engage in the practical, interpretive, and analytical aspects of the material, developing skills for critical thinking as well as compassionate care.

• History, literature and the arts, philosophy, and religious studies are used to enhance understanding of ethical and existential issues relating to topics such as the experience of disease, care of the dying, justice and health policy, religion and health, and medical technology
• Case studies, primary sources, and images engage students more actively in the practical, interpretive, or analytical aspects of the materials
• Exercises (including questions for discussion, role playing, and suggested writing exercises) encourage critical thinking and character formation, and further resources (including suggested reading and viewing) are included, and lists of relevant journals and organizations are noted