Art of Examination: Art Medical Diagnosis Course with UTSW, UTD, DMA

The Art of Examination

The O’Donnell Institute partners with The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and The Dallas Museum of Art to engage medical students in observing, analyzing, and communicating about works of art in order to develop their diagnostic skills.

The Art of Examination is a preclinical elective course open to first- and second-year medical students at UT Southwestern Medical School.

It is taught at the Dallas Museum of Art, with sessions at UT Southwestern Clements Hospital, The Nasher Sculpture Center, and The Warehouse. Adaptations have been made since 2020 to incorporate virtual sessions due to Covid.

This innovative and interactive course uses museum collections to explore ways of looking at works of art through close examination, description, and empathy.

UTSW Syllabi and Evaluations

UTD Honors Course

Through experiences with artwork, students will improve visual literacy skills, which are the ability to observe, analyze, interpret, and make meaning from information presented in the form of an image.

  • 2021 Spring HONS 3199.H14.21SCollegium V Honors Readings - The Art of Observation, Bonnie Pitman

  • 2021 Spring HONS 3199.H15.21SCollegium V Honors Readings - Arts and Medicine, Bonnie Pitman

  • 2020 Fall HONS 3199.H14 29512Collegium V Honors Readings - The Art of Observation, Bonnie Pitman

  • 2020 Spring HONS 3199.H14 29512Collegium V Honors Readings - The Art of Observation, Bonnie Pitman

  • 2019 Fall HONS 3199.H16 85932Collegium V Honors Readings - The Art of Observation, Bonnie Pitman