Course reminds medical students to use their eyes

Today's doctors-in-training have a lot to learn about the sophisticated machines and equipment they use to diagnose a patient, so it can be easy to forget more basic human observation skills. So the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston has partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts to create a course to teach observation skills by studying works of art.

Houston Chronicle, Nov. 21, 2002

Full story:

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/metropolitan/1671041

I have to agree that observation is a learned skill. It took me a couple of years to pick up on "puffy" vrs extra fat, or cyanosis vrs just a different complexion. Lots of nurses are able to spot an imminent code by skin color, and just last week I saw a lady at the vet's that had the metastisized cancer look...almost asked her if she'd been to the doctor lately. Or maybe could we call an ambulance for her?