ASU Health is on a mission to reshape healthcare by introducing a new kind of health professional. This transformation is supported by four academic units: the John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering, the School of Technology for Public Health, the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, and the College of Health Solutions.
A key initiative is the Health Observatory, which collaborates with the Mayo Clinic to better understand community health in Arizona. Another initiative is the Medical Master’s Institute, which focuses on helping health professionals enhance their skills in areas such as pediatrics and nutrition.
In a recent interview, Cora Fox, the associate dean of health humanities at the John Shufeldt School, discussed the link between humanities and healthcare. She co-founded the Health Humanities Institute to explore how humanities perspectives can address healthcare challenges.
What is Health Humanities?
Health humanities take an interdisciplinary approach, merging the humanities with healthcare. Initially focused on medical education, it has expanded to consider health beyond clinical settings. It emphasizes that community health is just as important as individual health, allowing for a broader definition of wellness.
The Role of Storytelling
One practical application of health humanities is storytelling. Sharing experiences about everyday health practices and healthcare challenges can foster community understanding. This storytelling is powerful. It shapes how we view healthcare in the U.S. and encourages dialogue around pressing issues, like the ethical implications of new technologies in medicine.
Impact on ASU Health Curriculum
The integration of humanities in ASU Health is designed to create a well-rounded educational experience. Faculty members are working together to develop a center focused on these discussions. There is a strong interest from students to engage in these areas, reinforcing the need for such programs across all health professions.
Future Aspirations
The envisioned center aims to create a “patient story project” that puts the patient-clinician relationship at the forefront of discussions. It will also explore how emerging technologies, like ambient AI, affect care. These innovations raise questions about what empathy looks like in modern healthcare.
Furthermore, the center will expand its focus on ethics, looking beyond traditional bioethics to include environmental and public health ethics. This holistic view is essential as the landscape of healthcare grows more complex.
Conclusion
The health humanities initiative at ASU is about centering both patients and communities in discussions about health. By merging the arts and sciences, ASU Health aims to foster a deeper understanding of wellness while addressing the ethical complexities of modern medicine.
For more insights into healthcare and the humanities, check out the ASU Health series.
