Medical knowledge includes curiosity and wonder facilitated by literature

Continuing the discussion of Femi Oyebode's book, "Mindreadings: Literature and Psychiatry" I want to mention the second essay in the book written by Martyn Evans and entitled, "Roles for literature in medical education."

Martyn discusses many of the uses of literature in medical education. He writes:

"My starting point is that the larger question of what medical knowledge actually is must be considered in these humanistic terms as well as in the more familiar scientific terms. So, therefore is the deeply connected question of how that knowledge is to be gained. This then invites us to consider a wider range of medical educational 'goods' than simply the bio-scientific understanding of the body's physiological workings." p.20

Evans then goes on to make some good points. He writes that medical knowledge should be pursued through education not training. In other words students should be provided the tools and the models of knowledge and be taught how to learn, research, and explore, not just be trained in technical knowledge and skills.

Second, Evans points out that literature helps students appreciate the ethical nuances of situations and provides the vocabulary of emotional and personal life which enables more effective understanding and communication in interpersonal relationships.

Third, literature, according to Evans, helps a student further refine and develop personal values and helps the student appreciate what really matters in caring for patients.

Lastly and perhaps most importantly, literature helps the student develop a sense of curiosity and wonder about all aspects of the interdependent web of existence.

Literature has done all these things for me and I can't imagine being an effective psychotherapist and Social Worker without my use of literature to broaden my understanding of the world, other people, and life. Literature has helped me immensely in my struggle to further develop and refine my personal values and it leaves me with a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world, other people, and the situations which we humans find ourselves in.

Someone asked me the other day what is the best book that I have ever read. I said, Plainsong by Kent Haruf. It is a simple and wonderful story. I highly recommend it. And a discussion of the book I will leave for another time.

Leave your comments about how literature has enhanced your knowledge and appreciation of life.