Brian Hurwitz

Brian Hurwitz is a distinguished medical practitioner and academic, known for his significant contributions to the field of medical humanities. He is currently an Emeritus Professor of Medicine and the Arts at King's College London, where he has been instrumental in developing and promoting the study of medical humanities.

Early Life and Education

Brian Hurwitz was born and raised in South Africa. He completed his medical degree at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, before moving to the United Kingdom for further studies. He obtained his Master's degree in Medical Law and Ethics from the University of Edinburgh, and later pursued a PhD in Medical Sociology from the University of London.

Career

Hurwitz has had a diverse career spanning clinical practice, teaching, and research. He worked as a general practitioner for over 30 years, during which time he developed a keen interest in the narrative aspects of medicine. This led him to establish the Centre for the Humanities and Health at King's College London, where he served as Director until his retirement.

In addition to his clinical work, Hurwitz has made significant contributions to the academic field of medical humanities. He has published extensively on topics such as narrative medicine, medical ethics, and the role of the arts in healthcare. His work has been influential in shaping the way medicine is taught and practiced, with a focus on the importance of narrative and the patient's perspective.

Recognition

Hurwitz's contributions to the field of medical humanities have been widely recognized. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and the Royal College of General Practitioners, and has received numerous awards for his work, including the Medical Humanities Award from the British Medical Association.

Selected Publications

• Narrative Based Medicine: Dialogue and Discourse in Clinical Practice (1998)
• Health, Disease and Society: An Introduction to Medical Geography (2012)
• Medical Humanities and Medical Education: How the Medical Humanities Can Shape Better Doctors (2016)

See Also

• Medical Humanities
• Narrative Medicine
• Medical Ethics