Arts engagement facilitated by artists with individuals with life-limiting illness: A systematic integrative review of the literature

Promoting Health and Wellbeing Through Non-Clinical Arts Programming: Multi-Stakeholder Perspectives From the Veterans Health Administration

PURPOSE

While the value of art therapy is well-established and arts are increasingly leveraged to promote health and wellbeing more broadly, little is known about the impacts of non-clinical arts programs. In this preliminary investigation, we sought to fill this gap by exploring diverse stakeholders' perspectives on the impacts of non-clinical arts programming on Veterans receiving care at the Veterans Health Administration (VA).

DESIGN

Semi-structured qualitative interviews with Veterans, VA staff, and community partners.

SETTING

Interviewees were recruited from 7 VA medical centers that have recently implemented non-clinical arts programming to promote Veterans' health and wellbeing, some of them in partnership with community organizations.

PARTICIPANTS

33 individuals were interviewed, including 9 Veterans, 14 VA staff, and 10 community partners involved in non-clinical arts program implementation.

METHOD

Interview transcripts were analyzed using iterative rounds of qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

The following impacts on Veterans were described: (1) mental health improvements, (2) renewed sense of purpose; (3) increased social connectedness, (4) improved self-esteem, and (5) self-driven engagement in art activities.

CONCLUSION

Non-clinical arts programming was perceived by diverse stakeholders to offer important benefits for Veterans' health and well-being. Offering non-clinical arts programming inside and outside healthcare facilities' walls is a promising direction for the field of public health undergoing a shift towards holistic approaches to improving individual and population health outcomes.

"To do and see what happens, instead of planning for something to happen", a qualitative study on how professional artists working in a palliative care setting shape their practice

BACKGROUND

Research has acknowledged the potential benefits of art programs in palliative care settings while also highlighting associated concerns due to the extreme vulnerability of clients. To add to existing research, which predominantly focuses on social and healthcare outcomes of art initiatives, this study examines how artists shape their practice in response to the unique challenges of palliative care and client vulnerability.

METHOD

We conducted ethnographic research, observing and conducting in-depth interviews with nine artists working in a Belgian supportive and palliative daycare centre.

RESULTS

The findings reveal that the artists prioritise providing meaningful artistic experiences and employ a responsive, improvisational approach, emphasising the principle of negotiation.

CONCLUSIONS

Working as an artist in palliative care presents both emotional and artistic challenges. Expectations regarding what art can mean in this context must be held in check, all while keeping the repercussions of interventions on clients firmly in focus.

Examining the Range and Scope of Artists' Professional Practices With Individuals With Palliative Care Needs: An International, Cross-Sectional Online Survey

Background: Internationally, it is recognized that artists facilitate arts engagement with individuals with palliative care needs. There is a gap in the literature describing the range and scope of artists' professional practices in palliative care. The aim of this study was to examine an international range of professional practices among artists who work in palliative care including key professionals' perceptions of these practices. Methods: An international, cross-sectional, online survey was conducted with health professionals, artists, and program coordinators with experience with artists working in palliative care. This survey was part of a larger mixed methods study. An instrument was systematically developed to examine artists' professional practices. Descriptive statistics were reported for the total sample including frequencies, means and standard deviations and open-ended items were analyzed thematically. Results: 101 valid surveys were analyzed. Findings outlined: (1) who delivers the arts; (2) where and with whom; (3) practice descriptors; and (4) perceptions of practice. Themes identified from open-ended items on benefits and risks of practice revealed impacts on patients and artists alike, including: (1) enhanced well-being; (2) vulnerabilities; and (3) facilitators and barriers. Conclusion: Findings demonstrated a wide range of artists' practices in palliative and end-of-life care, featuring notable consistencies in international practice worth further exploration. Ongoing and international efforts examining artists' practices in palliative care contribute to the development of future research, policy and practice.