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Artistic representations of disease are widespread yet largely ignored in health psychology research. In this paper we use two infectious diseases, tuberculosis and the plague, as tracers to study how infectious diseases are represented in novels, films, paintings, and songs. They were represented especially in terms of their causes and seriousness. Studying how diseases are represented in various art forms extends our understanding of how they are socially constructed. This knowledge can also be incorporated into the training of health care providers to sensitize them to issues in patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reconstruction of our historical heritage involves a few fundamental problems. We mention only two. There can be many interpretations of scientific data which can result in different reconstructions: however, the appearance of an image or animation in a digital format out of context is nearly always misleading. Therefore, the verisimilitude of the computer-based image should be questioned in the same manner as a picture in a journal, but the digital medium seldom facilitates this questioning. Furthermore, the diffusion of visualizations raises concerns; currently there is no established ontology to moderate the process. This article is based on our own experiences and attempts to contribute to this ontology. In this, scientific ‘truth’ will go hand in hand with artistic credibility, which to many may come as a surprise. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which describes a course on Literature and Medicine (LitMed) designed to encourage medical students at a university medical center to incorporate the biopsychosocial model into their clinical skills. The course is contextualized and described within the field of medical humanities. It presents the composition of the course along with details of relevant novels, study materials and assignment examples. Also provided are suggestions for future teaching activities.

The article discusses the use of arts in palliative care. Diana Greenman provides a narrative about the use of concerts in hospices, hospitals and day centers and discusses the effects of music on patients. She notes on the influence of music on a patient's heartbeat, pulse rate and blood pressure. Frans Meulenberg describes how he was able to make contact with her mother following a stroke. He mentions that he was able to make her mother laugh and cry by listening to her favorite music.

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