Program in Narrative Medicine/Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons Presents Art Matters at The Frick Collection

NEW YORK, June 4, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Program in Narrative Medicine, part of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, in association with The Frick Collection, will be presenting Art Matters: An Evening for Medical Students on Wednesday, June 6, 2012 from 6-9 p.m. Art Matters marks the first time a visual arts educational program has been expanded to the entire 1st year medical school class at Columbia University and boldly asserts that this should be a core teaching methodology in medical education.

This evening will be attended by the entire 1st year medical school class and by medical school faculty and will include innovative experiences that explore how visual art experiences can facilitate the development of key clinical abilities. Senior arts educators from the Frick Collection, Yale University, and the Museum of Modern Art in concert with educational leaders from the College of Physicians and Surgeons will lead thought-provoking discussions such as "Fact Versus Interpretation in Art and Science," "Art Matters, a Physician's Perspective" and "Slow Looking: The Pleasures of Attention and the Clinical Exam." During the evening, students will also read passages from essays written for Columbia University's required Narrative Medicine seminar course.

The modern medical environment is increasingly complex and fractured, leaving both patients and doctors often feeling alienated and dissatisfied. Sometime, more attention is paid to lab results or billing sheets than to the patient who is suffering. Visual art training represents a powerful tool that can help medical students and faculty train skills of attention and observation that can put the focus back on the patient and the real task at hand – healing.

"This is an exciting step forward in medical education," said Deepu Gowda, Course Director for Foundations of Clinical Medicine at Columbia University. "We are fortunate to partner with the Frick to help develop innovative methods to train our students in the essential skills of observation and attention."

"We're thrilled that the College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Program in Narrative Medicine recognizes the role of visual art in educating physicians." said Rika Burham, the Head of Education at The Frick Collection. "We feel that the expansion of our partnership will help to train more skilled physicians."

Event Details
When: Wednesday, June 6th, 2012
Where: The Frick Collection

About the Program in Narrative Medicine
Through narrative training, the Program in Narrative Medicine helps health care professionals and educators to improve the effectiveness of care by developing the capacity for attention, reflection, representation, and affiliation with patients and colleagues. In addition to training second and fourth year medical students at the Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons in narrative competency, the program offers a graduate degree in Narrative Medicine, intensive workshops, and programs and services designed to foster collaboration between the schools of the Columbia University Medical Center. For more information, visit www.narrativemedicine.org.

Columbia University Contacts:
Program in Narrative Medicine - Scott Alderman, 212-305-9473, [email protected] 
College of Physicians and Surgeons – Deepu Gowda MD MPH. [email protected].

About The Frick Collection: Henry Clay Frick (1849–1919), the coke and steel industrialist, philanthropist, and art collector, left his residence on 70th Street and his collection of Western paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts to the public. Designed and built for Mr. Frick in 1914 by Carrere and Hastings, the landmarked mansion provides a grand domestic setting reminiscent of the noble houses of Europe. Opened as a museum in 1935, The Frick Collection is one of New York City's great cultural treasures, and the Education Program serves the public in many ways to support the experience of looking at art in this remarkable setting.

For further press information about THE FRICK COLLECTION (www.frick.org), contact
Heidi Rosenau, Head of Media Relations & Marketing via [email protected], phone 212.547.6866 or Alexis Light, Manager of Media Relations & Marketing via [email protected], phone 212.547.6844

SOURCE Program in Narrative Medicine