Patient use of images of artworks to promote conversation and enhance coping with hospitalization

Experienced Quality of Life and Cultural Activities in Elderly Care

We investigated if cultural activities are associated with improved quality of life experiences of older people. In 2012, older people in five care units were invited to participate more cultural activities (study group) than usual. Each person in the study group had a tailored cultural plan integrated into the care plan. Older people in traditional care units (control group) did not have such cultural plans.

One hundred sixty-one persons from care units in two cities in Finland participated in 2012 and 161 persons in 2014 in a cross-sectional study. Their quality of life was assessed with the World Health Organization’s Quality of Life WHOQOL-BREF (Field Tríal Version) enquiry. The quality of life variable contained four domains: physical, psychosocial, social and environment. The values of these domains underwent multivariate analysis of variance of the following explanatory variables: intervention group, age (</= to 80 compared to >80 years old), education background, marital status, gender and comorbidities. The domains of the participants’ self-rated experience were also assessed.

The quality of life experience was similar at baseline in 2012 in both study groups. In 2014 the study group rated the quality of life (p<0.0001 respectively) and satisfaction with health (p=0.001 respectively) higher than the control group.

Older people in care units need cultural activities as a necessary part of their care. The care provided in the care units does not put enough emphasis on this need. With individually tailored cultural activities set down in a cultural plan, care providers can ensure a better quality of life for older people.

Art-Contemplation: A Tool for Spiritual Care in the Pediatric Department?

Facilitated contemplation of artwork has been found to be a valuable tool in the spiritual care encounter with adult patients. No reports were found on art-contemplation as a tool in the spiritual care of the pediatric population. This article is a preliminary report of facilitated art-contemplation as a portal to spiritual care encounters with hospitalized children and adolescents, their families and the staff. A series of such encounters is presented, and future direction discussed.

Arts-based interventions to promote transition outcomes for young people with long-term conditions: A review

Objectives

To conduct a systematic review of arts-based interventions promoting transition from paediatric to adult services for young people (Note: The term young people refers to adolescents and young adults.) with long-term conditions and to explore their effectiveness.

Interventions

Arts-based interventions included studies of young people who were actively participating in the intervention rather than passive observers. Visual arts interventions included film/video production, time-based media, photography, animation, sculpture, audio, installation, sound recordings, painting, textiles, print, mixed media, multimedia. Arts-based interventions included creative writing, poetry, dance, choreography and storytelling.

Main outcome measures

We included all outcome measures relevant to transition and any chronic condition. These included: self-care knowledge and skills, autonomy, continuity of care, adherence to treatment and attendance at appointments.

Results

Seven studies reported arts-based interventions promoting outcomes that are relevant to transition. These studies showed that arts-based interventions may influence young people with long-term conditions self-esteem, confidence and self-expression. The findings must be treated with caution as the evidence was weak with studies using qualitative measures and of poor methodological quality.

Conclusions

There is a need for further research of arts-based interventions for children and adolescents with long-term conditions that incorporate objective measurements or validated tools to assess outcomes relevant to the transition process.