Montreal physicians will soon have a new possible prescription for their patients: fine art.

                                                     

                                                       


A doctors' organization and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) are partnering to allow physicians to write prescriptions for free museum visits. The initiative is being billed as the first of its kind in the world. The project launches 1 November.

     The museum says patients will be able to have a "relaxing, revitalizing experience, a moment of respite" browsing their collection.

Physicians members of Médecins francophones du Canada will be able to register, in the initial phase of the project, to issue up to 50 prescriptions for a visit to MMFA collections and exhibitions as a complement to more traditional treatment options.

Nathalie Bondil, the museum's director general, is behind the initiative and believes that cultural experiences will soon be recognized, like physical activity currently, for their health benefits. She told the BBC that the "neutral, beautiful, inspiring space" of a museum can boost mood, improve wellbeing, and give patients a chance to explore experiences and senses outside of their illness. Ms Bondil hopes if the initiative is a success it will be picked up by museums around the world."We can open new doors, not just for the patients, but also for the doctors," she said.

In a statement, Dr Hélène Boyer, with the Médecins francophones du Canada, said there is a growing body of research that suggests contact with art has a positive impact on people's health."I am confident that my patients will be delighted to visit the museum to ease their suffering, without any side effects," she said.

Doctors can prescribe the visits to help address both the physical and mental ailments of their patients.

Question 1: Indicate whether the following statements are true or false. Give evidence from the text.

a) All doctors in Canada will be able to prescribe free museum visits.
b) Prescribing this cultural activity is similar to prescribing exercise.
c) Ms. Bondil believes that art therapy will surely become popular outside Canada.
d) Patients have already been exposed to contact with art.
e) Only patients with mental disorders will benefit from visits to museums.

Question 3: Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given.

a) associate (p.1)
b) look around (p.2)
c) encourage (p.4)
d) alleviate (p.5)
e) illness


KEY

Question 1

a) False. " Physicians members of Médecins francophones du Canada will be able to register, in the initial phase of the project, to issue up to 50 prescriptions for a visit to MMFA collections"
b) True. " cultural experiences will soon be recognized, like physical activity currently, for their health benefits"
c) True. " Ms Bondil hopes if the initiative is a success it will be picked up by museums around the world."
d) True. " there is a growing body of research that suggests contact with art has a positive impact on people's health."
e) False. " Doctors can prescribe the visits to help address both the physical and mental ailments of their patients."

Question 3

a) partnering / to partner
b) browsing / to browse
c) boost / to boost
d) ease / to ease
e) ailments