Poetry as Health Education Leverage for the Patient, Physician and Public

Abstract

Poetry is one of the major categories of literature. It is described as literature in meter form characterized by rhythm, rhyme and other figurative expressions. Poetry is an art of communication which is as old as man. The unique property of poetry is that it can be incorporated into the other forms of literature such as prose and drama. Poetry can also be incorporated into mnemonics, acronyms, songs, music, lyrics and jingles which can be read in a manner that provokes giggles or anguish. Poetry is a tool that can be used in any language and in any field, of which medical and health education are inclusive. This review attempts to identify ways in which poetry can be a form of leverage in the promotion of health and increase health awareness to the public, the physician and other health workers as well as the patient and caregivers.