A proposed elective in medical humanities

The social contract between medicine and society is being renegotiated and demands the reorientation of healthcare. Neither society nor doctors are happy with the way modern medicine is being practised. An obtuse focus on medical sciences and a myopic view of medical humanities (MH) has been incriminated. MH reflects on healthcare-related topics in the light of shared human experiences. It addresses the genuine concerns of patients and their attendants. It also helps inculcate humanistic values in doctors by enhancing ethical understanding, cultural sensitivity, mutual respect, empathy, communication skills and decision-making. MH originated in the 1960s and 1970s in the United States while in the United Kingdom, the emphasis on MH started in 1990s and 2000s. MH departments are now working in most medical schools in the West. Unfortunately, MH has failed to draw sufficient attention in Pakistan. To break the inertia and ride the tide of time, an elective in MH is being proposed.