AiMES for MDs Program Results

Virtual Workshop | Presented by American Epilepsy Society, Longwood Symphony, Pucker Gallery | Facilitated by Yellow Room Consulting
February 25 – April 15, 2021

SUMMARY

This 8-part virtual workshop series invited epileptologists & other healthcare providers to experience musical performances and Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) discussions about visual art while considering their compelling uses in healthcare practice. Fostering visual and aural literacy provides clinicians with important communication and observation skills, builds resilience, and may reduce physician burnout. This level of deep thought and critical thinking informs doctors’ understanding of their work, strengthens their compassion for their patients, and develops a respectful curiosity for their colleagues’ work and opinions. 

After participating in the eight-week AiMES workshop series, participants understood Visual Thinking Strategies as a methodology of facilitating conversations about artwork and its broad applications in medical practice. They will also gained a greater appreciation for music and visual art as a means for addressing burnout. Participants developed their own observation and communication skills, built empathy by increasing their ability to consider multiple perspectives, and improved their diagnostic skills in the process. Through unique lectures by medical and art experts - including fellow AES members - musical performances by Longwood Symphony Orchestra (LSO) members, and VTS discussions about works of art by Pucker Gallery artists and others, participants walked away refreshed and excited to employ critical and creative thinking into their medical practice. 

After the promising assessment results, we are motivated to continue seeking partners and opportunities for other versions of our AiMES course. We are eager to reprise this program in the future. Please contact us for the full report and/or if you would like to develop an AiMES course for your physicians.

RESULTS

Two of the major goals of this program were to increase observation and communication skills in a creative way through visual arts and music and to build resiliency. The AiMES program resulted in 73% of participants indicating an improvement in visual diagnostic skills, consideration of multiple viewpoints, and resilience on the job. Over half of participants indicated an improvement in observation and listening skills. Overall, the incorporation of Visual Thinking Strategies and musical performances for medical professionals in this training program provided significant improvements in self-assessment, which may lead to both increased resiliency to burnout and improvement on the job.

SYNOPSIS

Total Participants: 13

Our participants came from a variety of backgrounds. Two are Longwood Symphony Orchestra members. 

By career, we had 4 pediatric neurologists, 1 adult epileptologist, 1 scientist, 1 nurse practitioner, 1 radiation oncologist, 1 hospitalist, 1 primary care physician, 1 healthcare magazine editor, 1 music educator, 1 rural residency coordinator. 

82% of participants attended 5 or more of the 8 total sessions.

Artwork Discussed through Visual Thinking Strategies

#1: Curandera (Faith Healer), Carmen Lomas Garza, 1989, painting*
#2: The Good Life, James Reynolds, painting
#3: Cary Wolinsky, Yurt Woman, 1985, photograph
#4: Samuel Bak, Coffee Break, 2002, painting
#5: Cocktails, Archibald Motley, 1926, painting
#6: Fran Forman, Carousel Escape, 2012, altered photograph
#7: A True View of Foreigners in the Trading Compound of Yokohama, Utagawa Sadahide, 1861, woodblock print
#8: Samuel Bak, Final Movement, 1998, painting*

*64% of participants chose one of these two as their favorite piece. 

Musical Performances

#1: Tracy Doyle, harp
#2: Jenny Zuk, flute
#3: Len Zon, trumpet
#4: Enchi Chang, violin
#5: Chris Yuskaitis, oboe

Lectures

#1: What can I see? How do I hear? Considering the Role of the Arts in Medicine – Dr. Lisa Wong
#2: The Neuroaesthetics of Visual Thinking Strategies – Dr. Chris Yuskaitis & Erin Yuskaitis w/ musical accompaniment by Dr. Phil Pearl
#3: Evaluating Art and the EEG – Dr. Chris Yuskaitis & Erin Yuskaitis
#4: Synesthesia: The Colors of Sound – Dr. Chris Yuskaitis & Erin Yuskaitis w/ musical accompaniment by Dr. Phil Pearl*  

*Denotes highest rated lecture with 100% of participants ranking it a 5 out of 5.