Neurology residents who participated in a museum-based art program showed a significant improvement in their observational skills, with test scores increasing by over 10 points after just three 4-hour sessions, according to a recent study.

The Museum Art in Neurology Education Training project aimed to improve observational skills, empathy, and communication among neurology residents through art observation at the Fogg Museum. In the study, published in Neurology Education, researchers recruited 17 residents, 12 of whom completed both the pre- and posttraining assessments. The primary outcome, total test scores, showed a significant improvement from a mean of 22.75 to 33.5 (P = .00005). Secondary outcomes, including art imagery and clinical imagery scores, also demonstrated significant increases, from 8 to 12.5 (P = .0003) and from 14.75 to 20.25 (P = .0015), respectively.

The program consisted of three 4-hour sessions, led by professional art educators, incorporating gallery visits and hands-on activities. Residents reflected on themes such as ambiguity and improvisation, gaining exposure to art’s role in clinical practice. Feedback indicated that all participants felt more comfortable with ambiguity in clinical settings, and 100% agreed that the program should be repeated.

This study suggested that integrating visual arts into neurology training may offer benefits. The findings indicated that art-based training may improve diagnostic skills, foster empathy, and increase tolerance for ambiguity, which could contribute to clinical practice. Despite limitations such as the absence of a control group and small sample size, the results suggested that art-based training may improve specific skills, including observational abilities and empathy, which could enhance medical education. Further research is needed to assess the long-term impact of such programs and explore the potential benefits of other artistic mediums in medical training.

Full disclosures can be found in the published study.