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Mindfulness-based art therapy with medical staff in oncology
Thesis   Open access

Mindfulness-based art therapy with medical staff in oncology

ToniAnn Eisman
Master of Arts (M.A.), Drexel University
Jun 2019
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/6c5r-nb71
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Eisman_ToniAnn_201917.25 MBDownloadView

Abstract

Art therapy Mindfulness (Psychology) Medical personnel--Mental health Cancer--Nursing Mental Health
Treatment administered in a medical setting can result in complications for all individuals involved in that care, including the patient directly, their caregivers, and the medical staff. In oncology settings, specifically, high rates of stress levels, burnout, and compassion fatigue are prevalent. Symptoms of these mental health experiences can lead to decreased quality of care for patients, a shortage of staff to work with patients in need of medical intervention, and poorer quality of self-care practices, if any are utilized. This purpose of this capstone thesis project was to develop a method of incorporating mindfulness-based and arts-based practices as a means of promoting workplace self-care for oncology nurses. The literature demonstrated that both mindfulness and art therapy interventions in these settings for professional staff tended to be beneficial in stress reduction and promoted the exploration of emotional regulation, support from peers, and development of a sense of self. Through my experiences as an art therapy intern at a research based hospital, I uncovered the need for the staff to receive respite time from their work in order to stay rejuvenated. I observed the importance of accessibility and awareness to self-care practices in the workplace, the value of support from coworkers, and openness to experience. The need to be flexible, adaptable to, and aware of staff needs as the art therapy facilitator proved to be vital for the success of this mindfulness and art therapy based self-care format.

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