RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Portrait of a process: arts-based research in a head and neck cancer clinic
JF Medical Humanities
JO J Med Humanit
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics
SP 57
OP 62
DO 10.1136/medhum-2015-010813
VO 42
IS 1
A1 Mark A Gilbert
A1 William M Lydiatt
A1 Virginia A Aita
A1 Regina E Robbins
A1 Dennis P McNeilly
A1 Michele Marie Desmarais
YR 2016
UL http://mh.bmj.com/content/42/1/57.abstract
AB The role of art in medicine is complex, varied and uncertain. To examine one aspect of the relationship between art and medicine, investigators analysed the interactions between a professional artist and five adult patients with head and neck cancer as they cocreated portraits in a clinical setting. The artist and four members of an interdisciplinary team analysed the portraits as well as journal entries, transcripts of portrait sessions and semistructured interviews. Over the course of 5 months, 24 artworks evolved from sittings that allowed both the patients and the artist to collaborate around stories of illness, suffering and recovery. Using narrative inquiry and qualitative arts-based research techniques five emergent themes were identified: embracing uncertainties; developing trusting relationships; engaging in reflective practices; creating shared stories; and empowerment. Similar themes are found in successful physician–patient relationships. This paper will discuss these findings and potential implications for healthcare and medical education.