I've written often about the positive effects literature has on people in all professions or academic backgrounds. Literature (and the arts, in general) has the power to make us more empathetic, more humane, more able to connect with people around us. An article from yesterday's Dallas Morning News describes this effect on medical doctors.
"Reading makes us better people, and better people are better doctors," says Dr. John Harper, a cardiologist who also has an English degree. At the annual "Literature + Medicine" conference, Harper helps other doctors understand how science can become more humanistic, inspiring them not only to become better physicians, but better people.
"I was struck when I practiced medicine how hard it was to blend science and still become an appropriately emotional person with thoughts," Harper says. "I read literature and poems and essays and found they helped me formalize my thoughts, to express myself better. Books help us understand ethnic groups, political groups, religious groups. We learn from the mistakes of others; they refresh our reading and listening skills.”
While I spend most days hanging out with many students who already have an interest in literature, I encourage those of you studying in other fields to embrace books too. In order to become fully human, we must engage with all parts of humanity. Literature is the best place to start. Follow Dr. Harper's advice, and I promise whatever career you are working toward will be the better for it.
"Reading makes us better people, and better people are better doctors," says Dr. John Harper, a cardiologist who also has an English degree. At the annual "Literature + Medicine" conference, Harper helps other doctors understand how science can become more humanistic, inspiring them not only to become better physicians, but better people.
"I was struck when I practiced medicine how hard it was to blend science and still become an appropriately emotional person with thoughts," Harper says. "I read literature and poems and essays and found they helped me formalize my thoughts, to express myself better. Books help us understand ethnic groups, political groups, religious groups. We learn from the mistakes of others; they refresh our reading and listening skills.”
While I spend most days hanging out with many students who already have an interest in literature, I encourage those of you studying in other fields to embrace books too. In order to become fully human, we must engage with all parts of humanity. Literature is the best place to start. Follow Dr. Harper's advice, and I promise whatever career you are working toward will be the better for it.