Arts in Health

About

The emerging field of arts in health
Healthcare systems are increasingly unable to keep up with the rising costs and complexity of treatment and care. The traditional reliance upon technological innovation, high efficiency, and treatment-at-any-cost are driving health systems to the point of collapse. The very definitions of health, prevention, and well-being are being reconsidered, and new approaches must be found to humanise healthcare for both patients and staff, and to support disease prevention in our communities. The field of arts in health provides an innovative approach to supporting care, well-being, and to encourage healthy living.

What is the benefit of arts in health?
Over thirty years of scientific research shows how the arts can be used to:
- Improve the healthcare experience of patients, staff, and people in long-term care.
- Help prevent compassion fatigue and burnout among health professionals.
- Encourage healthy living and disease prevention at home and in the community.
- Provide innovative approaches to care, and to educating healthcare professionals.

Arts in health professionals use painting, drawing, expressive movement, music, creative writing, indeed any artform, to augment care and support well-being in hospitals, long-term facilities, and communities.

What can you expect from the summer school?
The summer school has two modes of learning: In lecture/discussions students are introduced to the field’s science, and in hands-on workshops they experience the actual practice of arts in health. Our instructors include scholars, healthcare professionals, and experienced arts in health practitioners. Some preparatory background reading is required, and will be provided.

The summer school will be of interest to people from fields as diverse as medicine, the arts, long-term care, psychology, community health, spiritual care, ethics, and others.

We welcome applications from current or prospective students. We also encourage working professionals to apply.

Course leader

Ferdinand Lewis, Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health

Target group

Who is this summer school for?
Arts in health is a transdisciplinary field, which is why this summer school was designed for both students and practitioners of various backgrounds. The course might be of particular interest to those with a background as health professions, in the arts, public administration, medical humanities, cultural policy, health policy, ethics, and spiritual care.

It is expected that the participants have a sufficient command of the English language to actively participate in the discussions and to present their own work in English.

Course aim

Learning outcomes
After this course you should understand:
- How scientific evidence is used to support the practice of arts in health.
- The organisational frameworks and institutions that support arts in health programs.
- How the arts provide practical care for vulnerable people, and support illness prevention.
- How artists activate creativity among non-artists.

Proof of competence
Participants who successfully complete the summer school (including the assessments) have the possibility to obtain a Proof of Competence (digital credential) to acknowledge participation and engagement with the content. Participants who qualify for a Proof of Competence can obtain a digital badge via the EduBadges platform managed by SURF— the cooperative of Dutch education and research institutions. The digital badge is stored on this platform and contains metadata, making the content, learning outcomes, study load hours and language of instruction of the educational activity clear and transparent. The digital badge is therefore verifiable and can be shared on, for example, a CV or LinkedIn.

Fee info