Aashtha Shah is a third year PharmD candidate at The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy.
When I saw Edward Hopper’s Morning Sun as an elementary school student, I stared at the woman in the painting in admiration of the vibrant colors. At the time, I walked away with little understanding of the purpose embedded in the picture.
Seeing the painting as an adult evoked an entirely different reaction. It felt like the woman in the painting was talking to me. I could sense emotion in her body language, and the vibrancy of the colors now felt dimmed. This time, I walked away with an experience. This helped me realize that my relationship with art had changed; my understanding of art had been limited by my understanding of the world around me. In the same way, I realized that my understanding of people was influenced by my life experiences.
So, how was I able to see beyond the confines of my own point of view? Art has been the vehicle to my connection with others by teaching me 3 main concepts.
Be meticulous and purposeful
Over the years, my ability to reproduce the images in my mind has evolved. Layers of detail have been draped over simple concepts, and strokes have become more intricate. I have learned to be more detail-oriented by observing other works of art on a micro level. Recognizing the purpose of various shades and textures helps me understand the artist’s process in deconstructing an image.
This skill extends beyond my own artwork and also applies to people. My diligence in seeing the various angles of an individual reveals the unspoken emotions of patients and the families. This has guided my reactions in providing the support that these individuals need and has made me more mindful of my words.
Accept imperfection
Medicine is an imperfect science. Much like art, there is a plethora of choices we are responsible for making for each dilemma we face. Painting has taught me that not every choice will be perfect. However, being thorough in my decisions will paint the best picture possible.
This is also reflected in my role as a student pharmacist. My responsibility is to be cognizant of the gaps within medicine and to be aware that some decisions may not reach the hoped-for conclusion. It is my job to be thorough in my analysis of the existing data so that I am able to create the best possible plan for my patients.
Connect with unrelatable experiences
When I look at artwork, my goal is for my mind to imitate the movements depicted. I attempt to draw parallels between the imagery and my own memories tied to the objects. I try to place myself in the shoes of the person drawn, mimic their body language, and adapt to the colors surrounding them. Utilizing the artist’s cues helps me empathize with the meaning of the artwork. Similarly, using cues patients give during an encounter helps me comprehend their stories. While I may not be able to truly understand their situation, I am able to see a degree of their burden and how to cater to and advocate for their needs.
The bigger picture
Art has supplied me with the tools necessary to narrate the stories of others. Capturing the essence of the human experience and recognizing the intricacies of communication requires abstract thinking. The skills in analyzing and creating art have helped me be a better student as learning the practice of medicine is an art form in itself.
As health care workers, we share the duty to facilitate meaningful conversations among ourselves. Staying connected with creative outlets we have built will serve as our method of passionately creating change for our patients.