Examining the artist-patient relationship in palliative care. A thematic analysis of artist reflections on encounters with palliative patients

Background: Although therapeutic arts are used in the palliative care setting, little has been described about what happens during the artist-patient encounter and how these interactions can complement and integrate into the interdisciplinary model of palliative care. The objective of this study is to describe the artist-patient encounter and how artists can function in the palliative interdisciplinary model of care.

Methods: Authors reviewed 229 reports written by artists about encounters with palliative patients, and performed thematic analysis on 95.

Results: Artists describe physical, emotional and spiritual responses by patients including relaxation, invigoration and accessing spirituality, some of which were unique to the artist-patient interaction. Artists also described personal reactions including themes of professional fulfillment, kinship and empathy with patient suffering. Themes surrounding the artist-patient bond and trust also emerged.

Conclusions: The artist-patient encounter has an effect on both patients and artists, and can create a therapeutic relationship between them. Artists provide unique perspectives and contribute to care paradigms when integrated with the palliative team.