Medical Humanities: An Introduction

by Thomas R. Cole, Nathan S. Carlin, Ronald A. Carson

This textbook brings the humanities to students in order to evoke the humanity of students. It helps to form individuals who take charge of their own minds, who are free from narrow and unreflective forms of thought, and who act compassionately in their public and professional worlds. Using concepts and methods of the humanities, the book addresses undergraduate and premed students, medical students, and students in other health professions, as well as physicians and other healthcare practitioners. It encourages them to consider the ethical and existential issues related to the experience of disease, care of the dying, health policy, religion and health, and medical technology. Case studies, images, questions for discussion, and role-playing exercises help readers to engage in the practical, interpretive, and analytical aspects of the material, developing skills for critical thinking as well as compassionate care.

Genres: Nonfiction

466 pages, Hardcover

First published October 16, 2014

Reviews

[Kathleen O'Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great introduction to the medical humanities. I read this while my father was in the hospital for heart problems and so much of the material on religion and spirituality especially resonated with me. I loved how the book realized how ethics and theology are intertwined.

[Matthew Noe]

Decent introductory text but it is definitely coming from a dry, academic medicine writing style that isn't as engaging as many texts in the field.

[Rynleah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it, informative, engaging, hard-hitting.