The experiences of professional hospice workers attending creative arts workshops in Gauteng

Abstract

Object: This article explores the experiences of professional hospice workers using a creative process for debriefing them in order to facilitate the expression and communication of complex thoughts and feelings. The creative arts workshops were developed with the understanding in mind that caring for terminally ill patients can be challenging and stressful and professional hospice workers are subsequently at risk of developing compassion fatigue. The workshops focussed on skills transfers as well as self-healing by experiencing and teaching a diverse range of creative arts like music, drama, art, touch therapy, storytelling and movement. Design: Case study design. Setting: Gauteng, South Africa. Methods: Data collection included individual interviews with 19 trainees at nine different hospices, focus group interviews, observations during the workshops as well as a researcher journal. Themes were generated through thematic analysis to describe the experiences of the caregivers. Results: We found that the expressive arts facilitated communication and self-care and improved the wellbeing of the professional hospice workers. Conclusion: These findings add to understanding of the healing effects of the creative arts and especially the benefits in the hospice setting.