DOCTORS AND NURSES: ART AND MEDICINE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF WORK OF HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AT THE CAPITOLINE MUSEUMS AND IN UCBMTHE FORUM "ART OF OBSERVATION – ART FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF HEALTHCARE SKILLS" BETWEEN ICONODIAGNOSTICS AND VISUAL THINKING STRATEGIES KICKS OFF IN ROME

On November 20 and 21, 2024, organized by UCBM Academy-Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, VTS Italia APS Association, ELPIS E-Learning on palliative care for international students, under the patronage of the Municipality of Rome and the Metropolitan City of Rome

Rome, November 19, 2024 - Cosimo I de' Medici he had thyroid problems, so much so that he is portrayed with a goiter, and Botticelli's Venus would have died of a tumor of the pituitary gland and not of tuberculosis, at just 23 years of age. These interesting discoveries are the result of iconodiagnostics, the science capable of highlighting a pathological state detectable in a work of art which, together with the techniques of Visual Thinking Strategies, will be at the centre of the 20th and 21st of November in Rome International Forum "Art of Observation - Art for the Development of Healthcare Skills". 

The appointment promotes the use of works of art in university education for improve skills, helping health professionals to communicate correctly with patients, increase empathy at work, limit stress and the risk of burnout promoting professional well-being and improved patient service.  

The International Forum "The Art of Observation - Art for Healthcare Skills Development" which promotes Medical Humanities (used for decades in the USA and present for over 30 years in the Medicine and Surgery courses UCBM) will be held atUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma and at Palazzo Valentini, organized by UCBM Academy, VTSItalia APS Association, ELPIS E-learning on palliative care for international students, under the patronage of the Municipality of Rome Department of Culture and the Metropolitan City of Rome and with the patronage of ICOM Italia, the largest Italian network of museums and museum professionals, the Italian Society of Medical Pedagogy, the "Women Protagonists in Healthcare" community and the Local Health Authority ASL Roma3. 

Art and the Medical Humanities in Healthcare Education 

The Forum emphasizes the importance of art in the healthcare context and aims to develop a interdisciplinary dialogue between art and healthcare, exploring how art can enhance, beyond skills, the well-being of healthcare workers, the quality of therapeutic pathways and the doctor-patient relationship.   

Vincenza Ferrara, professor at Sapienza University of Rome and pioneer of the Visual Thinking Strategies method, he explains: "Art can develop fundamental skills such as observation, communication, and empathy, enriching the preparation of future doctors and healthcare workers, and help limit stress and burnout by promoting well-being." Laura De Gara, Deputy Pro-Rector of theUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma with responsibility for teaching, points out "the importance of innovative teaching, capable of integrating the humanities and medicine, to promote education that values the whole person".  Paolo Pozzilli, member of the scientific board of the Forum and teacher of theUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, highlights how “Iconodiagnostics allows us to reinterpret the lives of the characters portrayed in light of their pathology and how internationalization in culture is an essential value.” Michele Guarino, coordinator of the integrated course in Clinical Methodology at theUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Finally, he underlines the importance of a human approach in an increasingly technological society: "Art is fundamental in medical training because it reminds us that, alongside science, interpersonal skills are also needed to provide comprehensive care for the person.". 

International guests and speakers 

The Forum brings to Rome distinguished international speakers, enriching the dialogue between art and medicine with unique perspectives. Guests include Giampaolo Martinelli of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, Barts Health London, Liliana Milkova of the Yale University Art Gallery, Joel Katz of Harvard Medical School e Thomas Van Gulik of the Amsterdam University Medical Center. 

The program includes conferences, working groups and demonstrations at the Capitoline Museums and the hall of Palazzo Valentini presented by Italian and international experts, with sessions dedicated to topics such as art for training and professional development in relation to clinical methodology and semiotics, for example, art for the promotion of well-being for healthcare professionals and patients.