Role of humanities in medical curricula in the South-East Asia region: a scoping review

Countries in the WHO’s South-East Asia Region (SEAR) have made significant progress in training healthcare workers. However, concerns remain about the quality and competencies of these workers, particularly in areas such as people-centred care and empathy. There is evidence that integrating the humanities into medical education and training could address these concerns and further enhance the quality of primary care. We aimed to study the role of medical humanities in medical education across the SEARO through a scoping review, focusing specifically on the role of the arts (e.g., visual and performance arts) in medical education. A published scoping methodology was used, without quality-based exclusion, to ensure comprehensive coverage. We included empirical qualitative or mixed-method studies from PubMed (January 2010–June 2024) focusing on undergraduate medical students in the WHO South-East Asia Region countries. Additional articles and grey literature were identified via reference screening. Data were extracted using a standardised form, with dual-reviewer screening and senior investigator arbitration. We found that several medical schools have integrated diverse art forms (e.g., narrative writing, literature, visual art, drama, cinema, music, photography) into their curricula through modules, electives, or mandatory structured teaching programs, typically in the first academic year. Informal volunteer groups, formal medical humanities units, or dedicated departments organised these. While short-term positive impacts were reported, evidence of long-term impacts was limited. It is timely for health professional education institutions and organisations such as the WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia to support a more coordinated effort to integrate the humanities into health professional education- drawing on locally relevant arts and cultural traditions while reducing the lingering influence of less relevant colonial and foreign models. Regulatory authorities should guide the introduction of humanities into curricula to foster more people-centered healthcare professionals who are empathic and compassionate.