Arts in Education Stretches Student Boundaries
Summary
A recent poll of more than 500 senior executives addressed the issue of hiring personnel to fill the skills gap at their companies. “They experience firsthand how much easier it is to gain information when you ask open-ended questions, when you stop and let that patient tell their story.” Other med schools also have arts in education programs. Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons required first year- med students to take humanities ranging from dance to poetry. Dr. Taylor says that verbally reacting to art, and developing a hypothesis about why the artist chose a certain color shade or what they were thinking prepares students to deal with patients and colleagues in situations that may be uncomfortable or uncertain. Employers who allow students to take these classes with their tuition assistance will benefit from employees who can observe and analyze, work in a team and communicate effectively.