The Effectiveness of Cinemeducation: A Biopsychosocial Approach to Facilitate Indian Medical Graduates toward Humanism

Abstract Background: The 21 st century health profession curriculum is shifting toward informal learning, emphasizing hidden curricula to nurture medical humanities, empathy, and communication skills. Art forms, including cinema, provide an emotional platform for exploring these themes. This study aims to assess their awareness of humanities through cinemeducation and evaluate its effectiveness in fostering a deeper understanding of humanistic care in facilitating MBBS students toward humanism. Methodology: A mixed-methods sequential explanatory design was conducted from October 2023 to June 2024. The study involved 102 3 rd -year MBBS students for quantitative analysis and 16 participants for qualitative focus group discussions (FGDs). Eight films were screened, followed by pre- and post-tests using a 21-item Humanistic Professional Awareness Scale-for Healthcare Students and Providers questionnaire. Feedback forms and reflective writing supplemented the data. Quantitative scores were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed–rank tests and FGDs underwent thematic analysis. Results: Quantitative analysis revealed significant improvements in personal integrity (median: 73–79, P = 0.0005), sensitivity to others (46–51, P = 0.0001), and professional competence (50–54, P = 0.0031). Total scores increased from 168 to 181 ( P = 0.0001). Qualitative findings highlighted the films’ emotional and ethical impact, enhancing empathy and understanding of patient-centered care. Over 90% of participants found the sessions relevant and impactful. Conclusion: Cinemeducation is an effective tool to foster humanistic values in medical students, bridging the gap between technical knowledge and emotional intelligence. It promotes empathy, ethical reasoning, and professionalism, offering a transformative approach to medical education. Future research should explore its broader implementation and long-term impact.