Developing guidelines for good practice in participatory arts-in-health-care contexts

Abstract

As the field of arts in health grows in scale and diversity, it needs to affirm a set of shared principles and describe what constitutes 'best practice'. This article recounts the production of guidelines for good practice in participatory arts in health care, based on consultations with practitioners in the arts and health sectors in Ireland in [2008][2009]. It considers why it was difficult and inappropriate to formalize a code of practice but explains how guidelines for good practice within an ethical framework were collectively agreed. It argues that the arts in health practitioner is not the individual artist but rather a partnership between diverse professional interests with common principles and values that govern engagement with participants and inform the planning, delivery and evaluation of the practice. It considers issues of quality and risk and proposes that benchmarking best practice should be the next step.

Beyond the borders: The use of art participation for the promotion of health and well-being in Britain and Denmark

“…The need for a code of good practice guidelines has been identified in White’s (2010) paper “To develop a set of standards that reflect current best practice in the field; Greater awareness among those engaged in arts and health work and practical guidance and support for artists and healthcare professionals.”…”

“…White (2010) considered that good practice could provide a starting point to develop a benchmark tool for participatory arts-based approaches in healthcare settings. Such a tool could, among others things, function to improve standards, critical thinking and strategic planning.…”

Towards a shared responsibility for quality in the participatory arts: Key insights into conditions underpinning quality

“…It is widely accepted that quality attributes and expectations need to be defined appropriately for different kinds of product, and that it is not possible to create a 'one size fits all' definition or approach (White 2010, Renshaw 2010. Indeed, Artworks' artist consultations reaffirmed the point that each project has a unique set of requirements, context and content and, as such, needs to be developed individually and assessed according to its specific context and objectives.…”

A hole in the heart: Confronting the drive for evidence-based impact research in arts and health

“…But some academics argue that most arts and health practices – best exemplified by participatory community arts and health – do not fit easily into experimental research models (Broderick, 2011; Clift et al, 2009; Lally, 2009; Macnaughton et al, 2005). Angus (2002) and White (2010) argue that using medical measurement and assessment models is inappropriate, since many initiatives aim at what are more subtle, and certainly different kinds of impacts. Instead they prefer social science, qualitative approaches to studying the field.…”