Unit Four Blog Assignment

When I think about art, and then think about medicine, my mind does not easily make a connection between the two. However, after going through this weeks materials, I have come to realize how with technology, the two can be very interconnected. In the video of lecture (1), it was pointed one very important similarity between the two subjects:the human body. In order for one to excel in each field, they have to have a good understanding of how the body works and its functions. 

(1)

There is an article on Forbes that poses the question, “Can Studying Art Help Medical Students Become Better Doctors?” (2). It talks about how medical schools are becoming more progressive and accepting those with a more diverse background with artistic skills involved.  Also, the Ted Talk by Diane Gromala (3) showed me how art, technology, and medicine can work together to treat chronic pain. When medical technology showed her information and pictures of her body, she was able to create a passion through it. It started as taking pictures of roadkill, but with an education of technology, she was able to design an artistic form of technology that helped with her chronic pain.

(2)

 I think that this is a great example of how these three fields can work together to solve many health issues for the world. A good example of someone doing this in today’s society is Virgil Wong, who “creates experiments in art, medicine, health, and technology” (4). He works with a health company that creates 3-D bodies to try to improve healthcare around the world. Both art and medicine are connected through these new technological movements he is making. He has drawings in museums all over that display the importance of and advancements in medicine. In an article called “Why We Need The Arts in Medicine”(5), it addresses many of the same ideas that I had already learned about in the lecture videos and resources. However, it brought up the fact that, “The arts can promote physician well-being”, which I think is important because of the therapeutic and relaxing aspects art can give someone. It would help doctors both make better diagnoses and also make more progress in the medicinal field. Hopefully society progresses more towards this equilibrium overtime and recognizes the benefits of art and medicine together. 

(3)

Works Cited:

(1)Vesna, Victoria. Medicine Body Lecture. Video. 

(2)Glatter, Robert, MD. "Can Studying Art Help Medical Students Become Better Doctors?" Forbes. Forbes Magazine, n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2015.

(3)"TEDxAmericanRiviera - Diane Gromala - Curative Powers of Wet, Raw Beauty." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2015.

(4)"About | Biography." Virgil Wong. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2015.

(5)Christensen, Gary, Md. "Why We Need the Arts in Medicine." Why We Need the Arts in Medicine. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2015.

Images:

(1)<http://pad1.whstatic.com/images/thumb/3/3a/Draw-a-Body-Step-3-Version-3.jpg/670px-Draw-a-Body-Step-3-Version-3.jpg>

(2)<http://www.confrontingpain.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/PainWeek_2013_Pain_Studies_lab_gromala.jpg>

(3)<http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/uponsun/lam-rim-doctor-prescribing-music.jpg>