A group of surgeons sketching self-portraits and sculpting clay heads in a studio may not seem like advanced medical training.

But for plastic surgeon Dr Megan Hassall, art classes have had a lasting impact on her practice.

Now based in Sydney, twenty years ago early in her medical career, she took part in the Art of Reconstruction course.

Run by artist Michael Esson, the course was designed to teach surgeons fundamental artistic skills — drawing, sculpting and visual analysis — to sharpen their aesthetic and spatial judgement.