Nurse Perceptions of Artists as Collaborators in Interprofessional Care Teams

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.

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

BACKGROUND

Living with life-limiting illness significantly impacts quality of life. A growing body of evidence suggests that arts engagement facilitated by artists promotes well-being. However, no synthesis of the literature exists to describe arts engagement delivered by artists with individuals receiving palliative care.

AIM

To systematically review and synthesize evidence to identify outcomes and key knowledge gaps to inform future research and practice.

DESIGN

A systematic integrative literature review was conducted using a pre-defined search strategy and reported using PRISMA guidelines. Analysis was conducted iteratively and synthesis achieved using constant comparison to generate themes.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase were searched for studies published between database inception and August 2020. Search terms included variations on arts/artists; patients/service users; and palliative or end-of-life care. Eligibility criteria was applied and study quality assessed.

RESULTS

Seven reviewed studies explored literary, performing, and visual arts engagement in hospitals, hospice and community settings in England, the United States, France, and Canada. Study designs, interventions and findings were discussed. Themes identified across studies associated arts engagement with (1) a sense of well-being, (2) a newly discovered, or re-framed, sense of self, (3) connection with others, and (4) challenges associated with practice.

CONCLUSION

Recommendations for future research were offered in order to maximize benefits, minimize risks and address complexity of artists' engagement in palliative care including: (1) consistency in methods and reporting; (2) inclusion of wider perspectives; and (3) key considerations for adapting the arts by health condition and art form.

A mixed-methods feasibility study of an arts-based intervention for patients receiving maintenance haemodialysis

BACKGROUND

Haemodialysis can negatively impact quality of life and mental health. Arts-based interventions used successfully in other settings to improve health and well-being, could help address the impact of haemodialysis. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of conducting a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of an arts-based intervention for patients receiving haemodialysis.

METHODS

A parallel convergent mixed-methods design was used, including a pilot cluster RCT and qualitative process evaluation. Phase 1 evaluated recruitment and retention rates through a pilot cluster RCT at a single haemodialysis unit in Northern Ireland. Participants included patients who received haemodialysis for ESKD, were over the age of 18 and had the capacity to consent. These participants were randomised to the intervention or control group according to their haemodialysis shift. The intervention involved six one-hour, one-to-one facilitated arts sessions during haemodialysis. Phase 2 explored intervention and trial acceptability through a qualitative process evaluation using semi-structured interviews based on the RE-AIM framework. Participants included 13 patients who participated in phase 1 of the study, including 9 participants from the experimental group and four participants from the control group, and nine healthcare professionals who were present on the unit during implementation.

RESULTS

Out of 122 outpatient haemodialysis patients, 94 were assessed as eligible for participation. Twenty-four participants were randomised, meaning 80% of the target sample size was recruited and the attrition rate at 3 months was 12.5% (n = 3). Participants viewed the arts as more accessible and enjoyable than anticipated following implementation. All participants who started the intervention (n = 11) completed the full six sessions. Qualitative benefits of the intervention suggest improvements in mental well-being. Patient choice and facilitation were important factors for successful implementation.

CONCLUSION

An arts-based intervention for patients receiving haemodialysis is acceptable for both patients and healthcare professionals, and a definitive trial is feasible. The intervention may help improve mental-wellbeing in patients receiving haemodialysis, but this requires further investigation in a definitive trial.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial was prospectively registered on clinicaltrials.gov on 14/8/2018, registration number NCT03629496 .

Collaborative practices from health care teams to face the covid-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVE

To report the experience of collaborative practices facing the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

This is a report about the experience of collaborative practices conducted by health care teams in emergency service in the Emergency Care Units facing of COVID-19 pandemic in the city of Fortaleza, State of Ceará, in the first semester of 2020.

RESULTS

Collaborative actions, cooperation and effective communication among nursing and medical team contribute to the management of mild and complex cases of COVID-19, as well as qualify them in suitable and necessary care and confrontation measures.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

The report shows the need for collaborative practices to minimize negative effects on the population in the face of the new coronavirus pandemic.

Effects of singing groups on staff well-being: a feasibility study

AIMS

To determine the feasibility of recruiting and retaining staff 'singing for well-being' groups over three months and the acceptability of the proposed intervention and data collection methods, and to explore the potential effects of singing groups on staff well-being.

METHOD

This was a feasibility study that used a two-group wait-list crossover design. Standardised measures of well-being, engagement, burnout and organisational commitment were used, alongside participant feedback. Questionnaires were given to participants at baseline, three months and six months, with the mean group scores for the measures used calculated at each point.

FINDINGS

Participant recruitment did not meet the target set, and only half of the participants returned pre-intervention and post-intervention questionnaires. Acceptability of the programme was high and, despite limited data, positive effects emerged in relation to emotional and work-related well-being. Participant comments about the singing programme and facilitator were universally favourable.

CONCLUSION

This feasibility study suggests there may be several benefits of staff singing groups, in terms of improving the well-being of participants. However, proceeding to a full research trial would require additional time and resources to maximise recruitment.