INTERDISCIPLINARY LEARNING: AN INNOVATIVE USE OF A LITERATURE MODULE IN MEDICAL EDUCATION

Abstract

A Literature and Medicine module was designed echoing the recommendation by the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia to deliver interdisciplinary teaching. Medical students within this region have had little opportunity to explore disciplines other than the sciences until now. The specific focus of this paper is the Literature and Medicine module which was tailored for the learning needs of undergraduate medical students in International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur. The general aim of this educational initiative is to broaden medical students’ education through literary studies and achieve learning outcomes that may augment the doctor-patient relationship. The purpose of this paper is to offer a contribution to the teaching and learning of literature to students in higher education pursuing a degree other than the arts by describing the key concepts taken into account in developing the module. The outcomes achieved through student performance in tasks further illustrate the value of this interdisciplinary initiative. This paper concludes by suggesting ways to advance the learning relationship between the arts and sciences.