Christopher Jackson, MD, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center. He is passionate about resident education and is the Associate Program Director for Curriculum and Education in the Internal Medicine Program and also is part of medical student education as the Assistant Clerkship Director for Internal Medicine. Dr. Jackson is part of the core faculty of the Center for Health System Improvement. He is the recipient of many awards and recognitions, including the Doctor Gibbons Outstanding Residents in Endocrinology Award, the Arthur Investigator Award for Research, and he has multiple publications in many high impact journals. His research interests include evidence-based practice, clinical reasoning, and the use of podcasts in graduate medical education.

How do art and medicine intersect? Dr. Christopher Jackson has devoted his career to fulfilling his passion for both art and science, and with him, we’ll learn how we can discover the art in medicine. As Dr. Jackson explains, finding ways to form a deeper connection with patients in order to gain their trust is the first step. Understanding that the patient is more than their medical history is when we realize that we are artists, not just scientists. Today, we are reminded not to worry when our path is not linear—it’s about the journey, not the destination. We are also reminded that it’s okay not to know the answer to everything: The real growth is in making the commitment to uncover what it is that we do not yet know.

Pearls of Wisdom:

1. Don’t be concerned if your path is not linear. Continue to focus on finding meaning and purpose; rather than hitting linear goals.
2. Medicine is not just science. And as physicians, we are not just scientists—we are also artists. And the greatest opportunity lies in the patient encounter. Look deeper into your patient’s social history to find areas where you can connect and bond—this will create stepping stones for trust.
3. Be humble. It’s perfectly okay to admit when you don’t know something. The real growth occurs when you make the commitment to figure out what you don’t know. This will earn you more trust with the patient, as well.