Why Healthcare Art

Art has the power to capture our thoughts and engage our soul. It can also inspire and elevate one’s spirit. In a restricted medical setting, art helps shift patients’ focus from pain, discomfort, and worry by providing a positive, uplifting alternative. Less pain and better outlook facilitate recovery.   
 

The unique benefit of art in healthcare is supported by studies demonstrating that postoperative inpatients whose rooms had a window with a view of nature had better outcomes than similar patients whose rooms had a window overlooking a brick wall. Patients who had a window with a view of nature complained less to medical staff, required less pain medication, had fewer side-effects, and were discharged sooner. All of which resulted in lower healthcare cost. 

But not every room has a window and not every window has a view….

With enormous and rising healthcare cost, additional studies1,2 were designed to find out if art could replicate the positive effects of nature. It was shown that nature-themed art has similar benefits. It brings the transformative, healing power of nature indoors, promotes well-being, and facilitates healing resulting in faster recovery and discharge.