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Context A special study module (SSM) option was introduced for medical students at Leicester Warwick Medical School in January 2000. Its aim was to enhance students' knowledge and understanding of people's experiences and emotions in relation to health and sickness through study of the arts. The module was set up and run through collaboration between the medical school and the University of Leicester's Department of English. This paper describes the context of SSMs in the arts and their relevance to medicine, and examines student perceptions of the benefits gained from this particular course. Method Students were exposed to a core series of arts-based seminars, and were given time to research a chosen study topic looking at an artist or art form in relation to health and sickness issue(s). They were assessed on their written submissions on these study topics according to the module objectives. Students were encouraged to develop a reflective style of learning by keeping learning journals. Conclusions Evaluation demonstrated that the students considered that their professional development had been enhanced by taking time to study the arts. Students also felt that they would continue to use the arts to this end after the module had finished. Summative assessment showed that the objectives were achievable by the great majority of students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]