Using Visual Thinking Strategies to Enhance Observation Skills Through Art and Imaging
Wayne State University’s School of Medicine, Art Therapy Program, and the Art Administration program collaborated to explore student ability to better analyze and interpret imagery. Wayne State School of Medicine is unique in that it offers ultrasound training as part of the basic science curriculum. Students learn ultrasonography as a technique to recognize normal human anatomy and to facilitate clinical diagnoses, however, interpretation of the images is a challenge and a competency that is evolving. Within the health field, professionals interpret patient assessments through their own personal cultural lens that potentially is influenced by implicit biases.
In this curriculum formal art observation training is being used to enhance visual literacy with the objective to improve ultrasound image recognition. In addition to teaching students how to understand patients’ perspective/point of view in relationship to their health and increasing awareness of students inherent biases.
Art Therapy and Arts Administration students were exposed to Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) and utilized Wayne State University’s Art Collection to facilitate VTS sessions with medical students. VTS is a visual arts-based teaching method where a facilitator asks leading questions to encourage group discussion and participants develop critical thinking skills through the process. Through the qualitative analyses of writing samples and statistical analyses of survey answers pre and post VTS, this study explores the impact of VTS training on undergraduate medical students with a focus on implicit biases.
The purpose of this presentation will be to demonstrate how the visual arts enhance visual thinking, diagnosing, and planning skills that can be utilized in the health field. VTS has the ability to teach visual literacy in identifying subtle details that lead to accurate diagnosis and development of treatment plans. Evidence and process of the VTS program will be shared.
In this interprofessional collaboration the VTS method increases observation and reasoning skills and explores the cultural lens through which participants see. Diagnostic tests like ultrasonography and art therapy assessments are interpreted through the doctor’s or therapist’s cultural lens, potentially influenced by implicit biases. The development of better visual, communicative, and cognitive skills are transferable to other contexts and content, and aid in addressing biases when interacting and diagnosing patients as well as enhancing clinical skills and outcomes.
