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Exploring Creativity in Medical Students: Themes and Media in a Compulsory Humanities Student Selected Component

Background: Humanities/arts modules are employed in medical education programmes with the aim of promoting reflection and creativity. The aim of this study was to examine media and themes chosen by students in a novel, compulsory, humanities Student Selected Component (SSC) with the aim of better understanding what influences students’ project choice at this point in their training. Methods: We studied 430 SSC projects (weighting equivalent to 2.5 ECTS credits) undertaken by students who had completed the first two years of a 4 year graduate entry medical degree program. Students’ work was qualitatively analysed, focusing on a number of themes and subthemes. Students have the option of a critique or producing an original work.Results: 99% of students produced original works (of which 85% were visual media, 10% written, 5% performing arts) while 1% were critiques. Descriptive analysis of the reflections identified six overarching themes as to why students chose particular projects: Biological (25.6%), Mental Health (11.9%), Life of the Student(14.4%), Life of the Doctor (15.8%), the Patient Experience/Perspective (12.6%) and Culture and Society(19.8%). There was a significant association between gender and choice of theme (p < 0.001) with female students more likely to choose the Patient Experience/Perspective and Culture and Society as a basis for their project than male students. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that students chose creative expression over critiques in self-selected media and themes related to medicine when motivated by a compulsory credited module. Gender rather than educational background influences themes chosen.