Interprofessional Art Rounds

Abstract

Art Rounds is an interprofessional workshop that uses art to develop nursing and medical students’ observation skills and empathy. The workshop’s joint emphasis on interprofessional education (IPE) and visual thinking strategies (VTS) is intended to improve patient outcomes, strengthen interprofessional collaboration, and maintain a climate of mutual respect and shared values. Interprofessional teams of 4 to 5 students practice faculty-guided VTS on artworks. Students then apply VTS and IPE competencies in observing, interviewing, and assessing evidence during 2 encounters with standardized patients (SPs). Students also write a chart note that includes differential diagnoses with supportive evidence for each of the 2 SPs. Art Rounds focuses on students’ observation of details and interpretation of images and SPs’ physical appearance; evaluation strategies include grading rubrics for the chart notes and a student-completed evaluation survey.