Utilization of the arts serves four major functions: (a) enhancement of student well-being, (b) improvement of clinical skills, (c) promotion of humanism, and (d) employment by students as a teaching tool.

Exposure to a variety of the arts is commonplace in U.S. medical schools. Almost half the schools involve the arts in the curriculum and over two thirds support arts-related extracurricular programs. Further investigation is necessary to determine the numbers of students involved, degree of involvement, and the impact on learning and practice.