Check out this article by Gary Christenson, M.D., on the value of including the arts in both medical education and healthcare in general.
Here’s a break down of the main topics:
Hat tip— the Art Therapy Alliance on Twitter.
Asthma and Art Therapy
May’s online issue of the Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology included a study that demonstrated the effectiveness of art therapy with pediatric asthma patients.
“In art therapy, patients create artwork that helps express their feelings about an illness, a trauma or medical concerns. The artwork can then serve as a starting point for discussions about these issues. Researchers believe that creating art helps participants establish distance between themselves and their medical concerns. They learn to understand that they have a personal identity outside of their illness. It is believed to be particularly effective with children because they often do not have the adult capabilities to verbally articulate their emotions, perceptions, or beliefs, and often can more comfortably convey ideas in ways other than talking.”
Science Daily
The Power of Phototherapy
Thanks to Judy Weiser, who posted this link on the Art Therapy Alliance‘s group Media and Materials in Art Therapy, via LinkedIn.
An interview with Dr. Cherryl Dellasega, Associate Professor at the Penn State University College of Medicine:
The Eyewriter
The Eyewriter from Evan Roth on Vimeo.
Art as Food for the Spirit
Thanks to Sara Windrem, who brought this article to my attention.
Photograph Exhibit—Hysterectomy
Read about an exhibit in Belfast, Ireland, by Sonya Whitefield who documented her process of getting a hysterectomy. Sonia’s photography allowed for self exploration and documentation as her health began declining and throughout the surgical and recovery process.