A call for change: the health humanities charter in medical education, an international experience

International audienceBackgroundHealth humanities are an interdisciplinary field that include the humanities, social sciences and arts, as well as the multiple ways they engage with health experiences, public health and health care practices. We believe that the principles of health humanities should be better incorporated in themedical student’s curricula to achieve a more relevant and contemporary medical education, which is an education that prepares for tomorrow’s ethical, ecological, and social accountability challenges. Summary Of WorkIn this optic, the Faculties of Medicine of Lyon-Est (France) and Ottawa (Canada) aligned their vision of this emerging area to create a unique charter, co-written with the help of patients, students, medical educators and philosophers, and adopted formally by each institution in 2021.Summary Of ResultsAccording to the charter, each Faculty should commit to not only promoting the teaching of health humanities throughout the curriculum but, in addition, to foster teaching initiatives and students' artistic activities. The Faculties also commits to promote a democratic and accountable approach,involving students and free of all discrimination. Aligned with their physician’s oath, the health humanities charter further empowers students byrequesting to abide to certain principles. They commit to respect the dignity of the human being, and to be available to and at the service of patients. The charter encourages students to maintain their independence and free will, while getting more involved in social responsibility. Discussion And ConclusionThe challenge will be to ensure that the students, medical educators and staff of the Faculties incorporate the charter within existing programs. We hope this integration will help other institutions to follow this path and foster new initiatives