Transcendent Spaces: The Role of Museums in Medical Education on Religion and Spirituality

Religion and spirituality are increasingly recognized as important aspects of patient care and medical education, yet many medical schools still lack structured curricula in this area. This is particularly relevant given the increasing gap between younger medical learners who identify as "spiritual but not religious" and their older adult patients who identify as religious. This article explores the potential of museum-based education as an innovative approach to integrate religion and spirituality into medical education. By using museums' diverse collections of religious and cultural artifacts, medical students can learn about various religious traditions around the world and engage in discussions on religion and spirituality in a collaborative and supportive environment. Visual Thinking Strategies, a widely studied visual arts-based method in medical education, can be a particularly effective tool that fosters empathy, cultural humility, and critical thinking. This approach can ultimately help medical students integrate spiritual care into their future practice while also encouraging reflection on the role of religion and spirituality in their personal lives.