Art and medicine, a winning combination!

By combining art and medicine, it is possible to improve the well-being of patients. This is the main objective of art therapy, which blends these two disciplines.

They evolved independently of each other while remaining close enough to allow for the emergence of shared practices. Driven by painting with art therapy, or sculpture with sculpture therapy, medicine has been able to utilize the best treatment methods throughout history. The psychiatric hospital has been a hub for experimentation and care. Whether in pediatrics or gerontology, art is always beneficial and a source of hope for patients.

The goal of medicine is to preserve and heal humankind. Art addresses the emotions in the realms in which our senses are involved. Art and medicine may seem far removed from one another at first glance, yet these two pillars of our cultures share a long history.

Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich

Art and medicine: a long shared history

Medicine and art have frequently intersected throughout history. Artists and physicians often worked side-by-side in dissection rooms. (See Rembrandt's The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Tulp , 1632) — this work is on display at the Mauritshuis Museum in The Hague.

In a cave in the Ariège valley, paintings depicting a trepanation were found (- 3,000 years).

In ancient Egypt, the Ebers Papyrus contained some 700 magical formulas. Considered a genuine work dating from 1550 BC, it is kept in Leipzig, Germany.

Western medicine finds its true origins in ancient Greece.

Hippocrates is the most illustrious physician of his time. He lent his name to the oath recited by all modern medical students. He is depicted with Asclepius, the god of medicine, in a magnificent mosaic on display at the Archaeological Museum of Kos. Hippocrates (450-377 BC)

Until the beginning of the 19th century, the mentally ill were locked up with criminals. It was Dr. Philippe Pinel (1745-1826) who brought about the radical change of occupying them in workshops.

In 1872, Ambroise Tardieu (1818-1879) wrote a medico-legal study on madness in which he discussed art as a possible therapy. It was at the beginning of the 20th century that works appeared presenting painting and drawing as a valuable aid to medicine. Hans Prinzhorn (1886-1933) was a brilliant advocate of this approach. He studied art history before training as a doctor. He assembled a collection of 5,000 paintings created by mentally ill individuals. In 1922, he published "The Expression of Madness." This book influenced many painters, including Max Ernst and Paul Klee .

Nowadays, the many beneficial relationships between art and medicine are undeniable.

AFRATAPEM was founded in 1979. This research and teaching institution is recognized worldwide. It created the first university degree dedicated to the profession of art therapist.

At the crossroads of art and medicine: art therapy

From the very beginning of psychiatric hospitals, doctors recognized the value of drawing and painting in patient care. Modeling and sculpture followed suit. This led to the development of a discipline called art therapy, which is the practice of art for therapeutic purposes.

A long-term collaboration between art and medicine

Art has been used as a form of medicine for centuries. It has proven more effective than most other forms of medicine in treating conditions such as depression, anxiety, and pain.

The healthcare sector has undergone considerable changes in recent decades. We have moved from a world of the traditional family doctor to a medical system that demands greater technical expertise and specialized skills. In this new, more sophisticated era, doctors must spend less time with their patients and more time reading journals, manuals, and scientific articles. This results in less human interaction.

This change leads to a decrease in empathy among doctors. A study published in The BMJ shows that doctors were losing their compassionate feelings in favor of a more technical approach.

According to a survey of 1,200 physicians from the American Academy of Family Physicians, 35% said they did not have enough time to spend directly with their patients.

Furthermore, a recent study conducted in an English hospital was published in the Journal of Hospital Medicine. It showed that artistic activities in hospitals can improve the quality of life for both patients and staff.

In 1999, a multi-party agreement on "Culture in Hospitals" was signed by the government of the time and health authorities. Within the broader framework of opening hospitals to the outside world, a series of measures were recommended, including improving patient care through art, as well as enhancing the working environment for hospital staff.

The Convention links the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of Culture. Furthermore, it encourages cooperation between local institutions, Regional Health Agencies [ARS], Regional Directorates of Cultural Affairs [DRAC], municipalities, regions and departments.

The intentions are commendable, but in hindsight, it's clear they haven't been followed by action. Nevertheless, some positive initiatives should be noted:

With the AP-HP, the " Louvre in the hospital" [meetings and conferences with patients].

Keith Haring’s ‘ ” at Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, AP-HP

Also noteworthy is the "Museum of Art and History of Sainte-Anne Hospital" (MAHHSA) in Paris, directed by Dr. Anne-Marie Dubois. A psychiatrist, she heads this unique institution, which houses numerous works of art donated by psychiatric patients since the 19th century. The museum received the "Musée de France" label in 2016.

Art in pediatrics

Art in pediatrics can be used to help children with chronic or acute illnesses, their families, and healthcare professionals. Paintings in pediatric wards can provide a distraction for children, thus reducing their anxiety and improving their mood.

These paintings also bring them comfort, they contribute to a welcoming environment "like home".

The aim is to differentiate art therapy, which promotes healing, from the aesthetic adaptation of living and care environments.

There is a significant advantage to including art in pediatric settings. Children develop a greater sensitivity to often harsh treatments.

Art therapists provide invaluable support to children with cancer. They enable them to better express their feelings and experiences, which is essential for healing. This is especially true for children unable to verbalize their distress due to their age, language barriers, or simply a fear of medical professionals.

Art for the Elderly

At the other end of the spectrum, art can help improve the quality of life for nursing home residents by providing them with a more stimulating environment. It can also offer a form of social connection, which is important for many older people.

The enormous benefits of art therapy for elderly people with dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other neurological disorders are well established. It stimulates the mind and helps maintain cognitive function. Art for the elderly is an expression of creativity that they often lack.

The large spaces in retirement homes are ideal for exhibitions. Art thus helps to bring a touch of color while providing a daily dose of inspiration for residents.

Remember that art is an expression of culture. It's a powerful link between generations. Learning about art history or simply practicing art are all ways to revitalize older people. And if bridges are built with young artists, it's a considerable benefit for everyone, because older people also have much to offer. They are enriched by a long life.

Nursing homes aren't the only ones to see the benefits of adding art to their facilities; hospital geriatric wards can also profit. And let's not forget the enormous psychological pressures faced by palliative and inpatient care services and their staff.

What about specialized units for Alzheimer's patients? Contrary to popular belief, this disease is not debilitating. In fact, some patients find the disease liberating in a certain way. One of the most beautiful ways in which Alzheimer's can manifest itself is through painting.

Alzheimer's disease is not simply about "forgetting memories." Patients create their own reality. This leads them down paths where they are able to express themselves through art rather than words, and this represents an opportunity for well-being that should be considered.

Some alternative therapy practices also accompany new trends in medical care. This is the case with sophrology and chromotherapy , which focus on the beneficial effects of colors.

Medicine and art as a way of recovering a lost harmony

Could one be both an artist and a doctor? At first glance, it seems like an illusion. Yet, a doctor could be enriched by an artistic vision. And an artist could become aware of their healing nature, nurturing both body and soul.

What if medicine and art were one, like body and mind? The function of our mind is to separate self from other, but simultaneously, it also connects and merges self and others. Medical care and art are complementary in restoring balance.

The act of living itself is part of the overall activity of life. Mind and body, humanity and nature, may seem separate, but they are fundamentally linked and mutually influential. Because the natural world around us is constantly undergoing a process of change, our inner nature—mind and body—is also constantly changing. Sometimes an imbalance arises that we might call "illness." In 2020, a global epidemic occurred due to microscopic organisms. At the same time, climate change reached a critical point globally, and the balance of the natural world collapsed. These global challenges cannot be overcome solely with medical and scientific approaches. Difficulties also exist for artists and are perceived through an artistic and aesthetic sensibility that transcends disciplines. Art has a mission to heal not only individuals but also society.

A bridge between art and medicine

Each of us lives by confronting the universe one-on-one. Even in a harsh natural environment, many of our predecessors repeatedly told us to live with a glimmer of hope in despair, and the dead passed these messages on to the living.

Our ancestors create culture and art, and silently sustain our society. For all living beings to think and live together, art is not only useful, but necessary to sustain life.

If we need the power of art, as well as medicine and science, to restore the integrity of the individual, why is that? People who live in the depths of their emotions open themselves to things through their creative sense. Art's role is to bridge the gap between the current world in its difficulties and a new one. Medicine operates on a different dimension. Its function is to heal the body, but also the mind. To do this, it needs to reconcile itself with the living nature of our planet.

Artists accomplish the difficult task of connecting people through a shared aesthetic.

We need the power of imagery, we need the power of art, to properly transmit the energy stored within ourselves. There is a healing power in many works of art.

Art in the hospital

Art is more necessary than ever in hospitals today. It has the potential to bring genuine well-being to both patients and medical staff. The integration of art in hospitals is accelerating with the practice of art therapy. Artistic initiatives and projects aimed at improving patient comfort and well-being are multiplying. The benefits of art now seem to be widely recognized.

Art therapy in psychiatry

In mental health facilities, art therapy as a treatment in its own right. What is less well known is that the patients' artwork is frequently exhibited. Could madness be related to art? Some believe so, as several great artists have indeed suffered from episodes of delusion. Vincent Van Gogh , for example, suffered from schizophrenia and was interned at Saint-Mausole, a former convent converted into an asylum. Louis Wain was diagnosed with autism and painted for the last ten years of his life in a psychiatric hospital. However, mental health problems do not appear to be more prevalent among artists than among the general population.

Art for decorating waiting rooms

Anxiety has become a major public health problem in our contemporary societies. It therefore seems important that medical facilities participate in the fight against this scourge.

A waiting room should be welcoming, calm, and relaxing. If it isn't, it can make patients anxious. Furthermore, boredom is one of the most common feelings people experience in these spaces. This is understandable, as patients are frequently seated for extended periods with nothing but their own thoughts for company.

In our article " Waiting room decoration ", you will discover our best tips for arranging this space in a way that calms patients' anxiety, thanks to a soothing and pleasantly decorated place.

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