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Published on: January 11, 2020
Creative Arts Therapy for Healthcare Professionals Is Associated With Long-Term Improvements in Psychological
Rafaela Avallone Mantelli1, Jeri Forster, Anthony Edelblute
1From the Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado (R.A.M., K.T., M.M.); Ponzio Creative Arts Therapy Program, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado (A.E., H.S., K.R.); Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado (J.F.); and Lighthouse Writers Workshop, Denver, Colorado (C.M., M.H.).
Objective:
Burnout in healthcare professionals (HCPs) is a pressing issue in healthcare. We report the long-term impact of our previous creative arts therapy (CAT) intervention for reducing psychological distress in HCPs.
Methods:
Healthcare professionals were randomized to CAT intervention or control group. The CAT group completed surveys evaluating symptoms of psychological distress at 4 months, 8 months, and 1 year postintervention, whereas the control group completed surveys at the 1-year mark.
Results:
The CAT group demonstrated sustained improvement in distress scores for anxiety, depression, and affect at 4 and 8 months postintervention. At the 12-month mark, the CAT group exhibited improvements in anxiety, depression, and affect compared with the control group.
Conclusion:
Creative arts therapy has lasting benefits for HCPs. Long-term follow-ups are crucial for assessing sustainability, and further investigation should focus on disseminating and implementing CAT programs for HCPs.
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