The temple of health and the temple of books were neighbours

The title of this post is taken from a piece of writing by the Swedish poet Tomas Tranströmer. I was reminded of it in reading a recent perspective of Dr Margaret McCartney:

In responding to this perspective, Professor Ad A. Kaptein of Leiden University cited research that has found that it is not just reading that improves medical practice, but also “passive and active involvement with music, film and paintings” which are “also associated with increased levels of empathy, improvements in physical function, and better medical outcome.”  Professor Kaptein stated that this has been found to be “true for patients and health care providers.”