On creating the discipline, profession, and evidence in the field of arts and healthcare

Abstract

There has been a burgeoning interest in arts and healthcare in recent years, as well as tremendous strides with regard to activities, conferences, and publications. Consideration needs to be given to the basic issues and definitions of the field of arts in healthcare in the United States that will advance this area of endeavor now and for the future, and especially to the following topics: (1) decisions regarding how the discipline of arts in healthcare will evolve, (2) specifications for the professionalization of arts in healthcare, and (3) evidence for the effectiveness of these practices. This article presents a brief review of the first two topics and then presents more detailed information on the current status of research in the field as it relates to demands for evidence-based practice. Results of a meta-analysis on music and music therapy with medical patients are presented, and from this study, an agenda for future research in arts in healthcare is detailed.There has been a burgeoning interest in arts and healthcare in recent years, as well as tremendous strides with regard to activities, conferences, and publications. Consideration needs to be given to the basic issues and definitions of the field of arts in healthcare in the United States that will advance this area of endeavor now and for the future, and especially to the following topics: (1) decisions regarding how the discipline of arts in healthcare will evolve, (2) specifications for the professionalization of arts in healthcare, and (3) evidence for the effectiveness of these practices. This article presents a brief review of the first two topics and then presents more detailed information on the current status of research in the field as it relates to demands for evidence-based practice. Results of a meta-analysis on music and music therapy with medical patients are presented, and from this study, an agenda for future research in arts in healthcare is detailed.