Literary, Performing and Visual Arts in Palliative and End of Life Care

Introduction. Limited research exists to support the use of visual, performing and literary arts practices delivered by artists with individuals in palliative and end of life care as distinct from the creative arts therapies.

Project Aim. To explore the range and impact of arts engagement with individuals with life-limiting illness in palliative and EOL care. 

Methods. Integrative review (Whittemore and Knafl, 2006) Six electronic databases: MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science and Embase. Comprehensive search strategy with variations on the terms “arts”, “palliative care” and “patients” Critical appraisal was conducted (Hawker, et al., 2002)

Key Themes.

• The dearth of literature on the topic of artists in palliative care
• As distinct from creative arts therapies o Patient + health professional perspectives most prevalent
• Dance, drama and pediatric populations underrepresented
• Arts as a means of non-pharmacological symptom management and a decrease in opioid use noted
• Impacts of arts engagement in EOL care:  Quality of life, Meaning-making, Sense of self, sense of control and accomplishment

Primary Investigator. Jenny Baxley Lee, University of Florida, Center for Arts in Medicine

Secondary Investigator(s). Sonja McIlfatrick, Ulster University Life & Health Sciences UK; Lisa Fitzpatrick, Ulster University Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences 

Access Academic Poster.

Photo Credit.  Artist/photographer: Sinead Dinneen. Body of work: "Whispers of Hope"