Christmas 2023 - performing medicine, and prescribing nature

In this festive edition of the BMJ podcast, we hear about what medicine can learn from music, when it comes to giving a convincing performance, and how we can grow an evidence base for nature prescribing.

Professors Roger Kneebone and Aaron William of the Centre for Performance Science raise the curtain on the performance of medicine, and we hear what your consultation technique could learn from a hairstylist.

Ruth Garside, Professor of Evidence Synthesis, Kerryn Husk, Associate Professor of Health Sciences and Edward Chapman from the Health and Environment Public Engagement Group then discuss 'nature prescribing', and wonder about how to balance maintaining the joy derived from nature and yet create an evidence base for the medicinal benefits associated with it.

Reading list

Medicine: a performing art

Nature prescribing

00:13 Introduction to the BMJ Podcast00:36 Exploring the Themes of the Christmas Edition01:38 The Intersection of Medicine and Performance02:33 The Art and Science of Performance in Medicine05:04 The Role of Performance in Music06:29 The Similarities Between Medicine and Music08:06 The Role of Experiential Learning in Performance14:11 The Impact of Audience on Performance19:04 The Benefits of Nature and Green Prescribing24:52 The Challenges of Measuring the Impact of Nature Prescribing30:37 The Community's Engagement with Nature Prescribing33:01 Conclusion and Farewell