Using art for the development of teamwork and communication skills among health professionals: a literature review

Abstract

Background: In healthcare, interpersonal skills such as teamwork and communication are essential for safe, high-quality, person-centered care. Methods: Four reference databases were searched using relevant keyword combinations in order to examine how the visual and performing arts have been used to facilitate the development of teamwork and communication skills among health professionals and what the outcomes were. Reference list checking was also conducted in order to identify other relevant articles not captured in the initial search strategy. Results: Many of the studies that we reviewed revealed that after participation in the arts, participants felt positively about the experience, had a greater awareness of the importance of teamwork and communication skills in their professional practice, and reported general improvements in these skills. Conclusions: While the initial results of this review seem promising, a concerted effort to conduct more methodologically sound studies on various art forms and their effect on the development of health professionals' interpersonal skills is required.

Role of Art Education in Peace Building Efforts among Out‐of‐School Youth affected by Armed Conflict in Zamboanga City, Philippines

“…Results indicated that both intrapersonal and interpersonal skills were developed throughout their participation in various SUGPAT activities. Results of this current investigation support existing claims that visual and the performing arts provide therapeutic tools for social skills formation and development (Acai et al, ). They attributed their positive attitudinal changes when they created art forms and advocated for peace after being exposed to the content of the programme.…”

“…Substantial uses of art also include communication skills enhancement among children and young adults. Visual and the performing arts are seen as therapeutic tools in developing social skills (Acai, McQueen, McKinnon, & Sonnadara, 2016). Art increases visual thinking and learning too, especially in the context of social communication (Epp, 2008).…”

“…There is, however, a need to document how art enhances oneself as literatures have focused more on documenting the type of skills that were enhanced and not on the ways these skills have been put to use (Williams, 2002;Epp, 2008;Acai et al, 2016). Few literatures have also been found about the way Filipinos, especially in Zamboanga, have lived used art as a way to combat displacement (Baú, 2017).…”

Effects of a Special Art Education Course on Attitudes toward Omani Learners with Special Needs

“…In education, teaching the AE course contributes to transferring learners from the role of the recipient of knowledge to the role of builder by connecting art with thinking, as well as teaching the AE course supports social interactions in learners by developing group work morale to beautify environment and society (Acai et al, 2017). Accordingly, the AE is a means of expressing feelings, ideas, making catharsis, and adding happiness to the environment surrounding humans (Chilton et al, 2015).…”

Artwork from military personnel, Veterans, and their family members

“…There is increasing research showing how the arts can improve clinical skills, personal skills and communication among health-care professionals (418). Regarding clinical skills, similarities have been noted in the cognitive processes underlying both music and surgery, with prior musical experience linked with surgical skills (419,420).…”