General description of the project:
“Surprise Me!” is an innovative educational strategy designed to integrate art and health humanities into the learning process of health profession students. This strategy aims to enhance students’ creativity, reflection, and communication skills while promoting a deeper understanding of health and disease.
The process begins by challenging students to create art pieces that depict stories of health and disease. Students can use various art forms, such as painting, sculpture, photography, music, and creative writing, to express their ideas and feelings about health-related issues. The art pieces must reflect the students’ personal experiences, observations, and reflections about the creative process.
After completing their artworks, students will participate in reflective exercises, such as journaling or group discussions, to explore the meaning and significance of their creative expressions. These exercises will help students reflect on their personal experiences and how these relate to the broader context of health and disease.
The final step of the process involves showcasing the artworks in a public gallery or exhibition. This exhibition provides an opportunity for the students to present their artworks to the public, share their insights and reflections, and engage in a dialogue about health-related issues. This public exhibition also aims to raise awareness about the impact of health and disease on individuals and communities.
Overall, “Surprise Me!” is an engaging and thought-provoking educational strategy that can inspire health profession students to think more creatively and reflectively about health-related issues. By integrating art and health humanities into the learning process, this strategy can enhance students’ empathy, communication, and critical thinking skills, which are essential for providing effective and compassionate healthcare services.
“Surprise Me!” has achieved remarkable success by seamlessly integrating art and health humanities into health profession students’ education. In the first edition of the project, students demonstrated their creativity through compelling art pieces, including emotionally charged paintings, impactful sculptures, narrative pieces, poetry, music composition and performance. Reflective exercises, such as journaling and group discussions, have deepened students’ self-awareness and critical thinking. Three public gallery exhibitions have served as powerful platforms for students, attracting diverse audiences and fostering dynamic dialogues on health-related issues. The project’s cost-effectiveness is evident in its sustainable implementation and broad community impact. Continuous improvement is ensured through regular assessments, with insights from reflective exercises contributing to refining the educational strategy. The initiative, with a focus on Hispanic perspectives, showcases cultural sensitivity, contributing to a richer understanding of healthcare issues. Lessons learned emphasize the importance of flexibility, adaptability, and community collaboration. “Surprise Me!” stands as an innovative beacon, demonstrating that integrating art and health humanities not only nurtures creativity but also cultivates essential skills for delivering empathetic and effective healthcare services.