Medical ripples in poetic verse

Powerfully written poems hold potential to captivate generations of readers as they work mostly through affect. Medical science education on the other hand hones the skills, knowledge and aptitudes necessary for medical graduates in both the clinical field itself, as well as potentially the research arenas as well. The scientific disciplines are conventionally seen as dependent on facts and hard evidence, not mere abstraction. Traditionally, a dichotomy was at times envisioned by some between the arts and the sciences. There however has been an emergence of ventures that blend the arts and sciences more seamlessly than traditionally anticipated. The discipline of medical humanities draws on entities such as films, poetry and prose to spice the medical experience.

Thought-provoking poetry, powerful narratives or engaging characters may provide artefactual experiences in intangible fictional realities. Imaginary surreal yet visceral realities, via unique poetic voice, may provide vision that thrives on affect and imagination; which is itself a unique way of communication and conceptualizing ideas. It is versatile, multidimensional and pluripotent and may hold a role in engaging both the general public as well as more targeted audiences with respect to a specific medical topic.

The global increasingly widespread recognition of this led to the emergence of more universities opting for some form of inclusion of medical humanities as well as medical poems emerging in scholarly journals and journals of medical humanities. In fact locally in 2012 the Humanities, Medicine and Sciences Programme (HUMS) was inaugurated at the University of Malta. Healthcare education may be enhanced through this unique blend.

Poetry may have the capacity to provide a new perspective and vision to audiences who derive enjoyment through the

“Electrifying through her veins Fabrication, essence, pains? A spark, a refractory seizure No perinatal asphyxia either No significant sodium variation Any glucose level aberration? …… Lust to banish the devil’s stud Lust for fluids, lust for blood Lust for a little diagnostic wonder Lust to cure the lightning and thunder…” “Neonatal Rumble of Thunder” M. Muscat Excerpts from ‘Blood & Thunder’ Fall 2016

medium. Depending on the exact wording of a poem it may be geared towards either more targeted specialised audiences, as well as more generalised audiences where less medical jargon is used. Poetry and science are not to be considered as mutually exclusive.

The famous French writer Victor Hugo once stated: “Science is continually correcting what it has said. Fertile corrections... science is a ladder... poetry is a winged flight... An artistic masterpiece exists for all time... Dante does not efface Homer. “ This article was partially funded through the Endeavour Scholarship Scheme.