Abstract
ABSTRACTThis paper explores the impact of self-chosen arts-based recreational activities, as opposed to the traditional arts therapy activities, on the well-being of healthcare providers. Three qualitative case studies of programs in which arts-based activities were used to work with healthcare providers, lasting for 10 weeks each, are phenomenological-hermeneutically evaluated using interviews and focus groups. The findings show what we refer to as an “ecological” ripple of effects: (1) the arts-based activities helped to reduce individual stress and to enhance mood over time, (2) the activities helped to transform workplace relationships within wards, and (3) the arts humanized the overall work climate in the healthcare setting. These effects go beyond those of using the art production as a strategy for stress reduction and imply potential for a more encompassing role for the arts within healthcare.
Highlights
The effects of burnout, compassion, fatigue, overwork, and secondary trauma on healthcare staff are well documented (Grossi, Perski, Osika, & Savic, 2015; Swedish Social Insurance Agency, 2015)
The present study explores the self-reported impact of arts-based activities on healthcare providers after having participated in a range of self-chosen activities, termed a “cultural palette”, in the workplace
The programs of activities were developed in collaboration with healthcare staff who were asked what types of cultural activity they would want to participate in
Summary
The effects of burnout, compassion, fatigue, overwork, and secondary trauma on healthcare staff are well documented (Grossi, Perski, Osika, & Savic, 2015; Swedish Social Insurance Agency, 2015). It has been shown that taking part in pleasurable arts-based activities within a group context has the potential to positively influence people on physiological, biological, and social levels (Grape Viding et al, 2015). Brain activity increases when stimulated with various cultural modalities at the same time; for example, visual and audio stimuli offered simultaneously trigger greater brain activity in comparison to each stimulus individually. This “multimodal” effect was proven to be successful at reducing stress in a recently published study on women with burnout syndrome (Grape Viding et al, 2015). With regards to improving health in general, cultural activities have been shown to be most effective as a preventative strategy as opposed to post-diagnosis of a condition or an illness (Bojner Horwitz, Theorell, & Anderberg, 2003; Jones, 2005; Kaye & Bleep, 1997; Malchiodi, 1999)
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