The use of abstract paintings and narratives to foster reflective capacity in medical educators: A multinational faculty development workshop

Khaled Karkabi, Hedy S. Wald, Orit Cohen Castel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Reflective capacity is integral to core healthcare professional practice competencies. Reflection plays a central role in teacher education as reflecting on teaching behaviours with critical analysis can potentially improve teaching practice. The humanities including narrative and the visual arts can serve as a valuable tool for fostering reflection. We conducted a multinational faculty development workshop aiming to enhance reflective capacity in medical educators by using a combination of abstract paintings and narratives. Twenty-three family physicians or physicians-in-training from 10 countries participated in the workshop. Qualitative assessment of the workshop showed that the combined use of art and narrative was well received and perceived as contributing to the reflective exercise. Participants generally felt that viewing abstract paintings had facilitated a valuable mood transformation and prepared them emotionally for the reflective writing. Our analysis found that the following themes emerged from participants' responses: (1) narratives from different countries are similar; (2) the use of art helped access feelings; (3) viewing abstract paintings facilitated next steps; (4) writing reflective narratives promoted examination of educational challenges, compassion for self and other, and building an action plan; and (5) sharing of narrative was helpful for fostering active listening and appreciating multiple perspectives. Future research might include comparing outcomes for a group participating in arts-narrative-based workshops with those of a control group using only reflective narrative or in combination with figurative art, and implementing a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods of assessment.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)44-48
Number of pages5
JournalMedical Humanities
Volume40
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2014

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine
  • Philosophy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The use of abstract paintings and narratives to foster reflective capacity in medical educators: A multinational faculty development workshop'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this