RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: International literature suggests that nurse educators perceive a value in the arts and literature as a teaching strategy in helping nurses express a personal philosophy of nursing, teaching spirituality and non-verbal communication. PURPOSE OF STUDY: The purpose of this study was to evaluate nursing students experiences of undertaking an interdisciplinary 'Art in Health' elective. STUDY DESIGN: The formative evaluation approach was based on the reflective practice model that encourages students (n = 60) to evaluate their own learning experience. FINDINGS: 88% of nursing students valued the experience of learning with students from other disciplines or colleges. 63% commented on how they enjoyed the creative aspect of studio work and the element of diversity in brought to nursing. 63% indicated that the module gave them a greater insight into the presence of art in health care contexts and felt that they gained a deeper understanding of how art can help people in hospital. CONCLUSION: The module presents an innovative model of interdisciplinary curriculum development which appears to facilitate students in viewing patients from a more holistic perspective. As an education experience this module appears to have the potential to help students develop skills in working collaboratively with other health care and non health care disciplines.