Medical Humanities: What is it and why do we teach it?

Date: 31st May 2022 (Wednesday)

Time: 3.30-4.30pm

Venue: Zoom Meeting

Speakers: Professor Dr Anthony Cummins

Moderator: Associate Professor Dr Julia Patrick Engkasan

On 31st May 2022, the Medical Humanities and Ethics Unit (MedHEU) organized a webinar titled ‘Medical Humanities: What Is It and Why Do We Teach It?’. It was presented by Professor Dr. Anthony Cummins, the former head of the Department of Family Medicine, Perdana University- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. More than 50 participants attended the one-hour webinar where Professor Cummins shared his moving experience teaching the medical humanities syllabus to medical students. His lecture focused on the following aspects:

• Medical Humanities and its benefits in preparing doctors- in- training.
• Integrating Medical Humanities as a component into the undergraduate teaching.
• Topics and themes used in delivering Medical Humanities.
• The role of creative writing in teaching.
• Elements to ensure successful delivery of Medical Humanities teaching. 

Professor Cummins also recited a beautiful poem, Parental pressure in education: ‘Broken Becky’, which was heart-wrenching with a powerful message. We were also delighted to have Mr. Julian Mathews, a former journalist, trainer, and the Editor’s Prize Winner who recited a heart-rending poem, 1096 Nights. It tells the touching story of the disappearance of the Malaysian Airlines MH370, commemorating the 3rd anniversary. The webinar received a very warm and positive response from its attendees with interest indicated in similar webinars in the future.

We would like to thank all participants for joining us in this webinar. To access the recording of the webinar, please click here.