'Bedsides' at the University of Florida and Shands Medical Hospital, Gainesville, Fl, USA

I returned to the University of Florida, to the Center for Arts in Medicine, in June 2016, to further engage in an intensive participation, focussing on 'bedsides' primarily, and the far reaching benefits of this activity.   

'Bedsides' is an arts in medicine healthcare activity originated by University of Florida, and Shands Medical Hospital, Gainesville, Fl.

In Arts in Medicine, and according to Jill Sonke, Director of the Center for Arts in Medicine, ‘we see health not simply as the absence of illness, but as a state of being which gives each of us the opportunity to live to our fullest potential. Through an interdisciplinary holistic and creative approach to health, we engage the arts as a means to optimize opportunities both locally and globally’.

Arts in Medicine works to support biomedical and nursing activities by assisting patients, at the 'bedside' or in waiting/reception rooms, in order to alleviate stress, and engages with the patient on a one-on-one basis through a range of arts activities. These can include drawing, painting, story telling, oral histories, photography, music, singing and movement, improvisation ‘improv’ theatre amongst others, at the 'bedside'.

Historically, rock art images were intended as healing, spiritual messages. It is also well known that art is used to express our humanity, the divine and the mysteries that shape our worlds. Animism is the belief that there is spirit in everything. The Egyptians had a very embedded system of biomedical medicine, which included animistic healing in the form of amulets, etc. Research shows that the idea of ‘hospitals’ can be directly attributed to Islam who lead the way between the 8th and 9th Century.

So what is it about the arts that may contribute to healing at the 'bedside'?

Healing can occur through active use of the mind in developing or focussing on imagery. Using images with an intention, and the use of the arts as a method of transcendence, can impact healing in a positive manner.

The pioneering work of Dr. Robert Adler (1975) and Dr. Candace Pert, is worth researching, as both investigated the role of what is happening in the mind, directly affects our body.

It’s worth mentioning that Leonardo da Vinci (famous artist) dissected the body, and by doing so, furthered the biomedical knowledge of doctors who learnt more about the body. Of importance, there is no point in our history, which does not recognize the arts as part of healing.

I have had personal experience of this 'bedside' activity, working as an artist, and know that the health benefits are insurmountable. The patient is transported, for a short period of time, into a creative world allowing, them to engage in their own creative 'spike'.

On my return, and thanks to Barbara Poulter, who is Cape Town based, and knowledgeable and active in breast cancer therapies and support, I met with two hospital staff members who both showed keenness in staging interactive art and health workshops with their cancer surviving outpatients. We (together with my twin sister Debby O'Connor, and my husband Bob Wells) staged about five or six very fun interactive sessions in 2015. It was refreshing to be part of such inspirational groups, and we have a common wish for this work to continue into the future, so as to be in line with over 60% of the hospitals in the USA and in the UK. I will publish some pictures from these events.