Art Therapy in UK Hospitals Lowers Staff Burnout Risk

Art therapy in London has had positive impact on burnout and mental distress. BBC news has recently reported on a study of London medics, suggesting that art therapy sessions could reduce the burnout risks of health professionals by half.

They found that among 120 doctors, nurses and other health professional from London hospitals who took part in art therapy sessions, a majority reported “much lower emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and less stress, anxiety and depression”. Benefits of art therapy sessions lasted even after three months since the therapy intervention ended.

Megan Tjasink, principal art psychotherapist at Barts Health NHS Trust who was behind the study, explained that due to the nature of their jobs, medical professionals often deal with intense and difficult situations every day. “While they’re very good at solving problems in a rational way, they can be less well practised at processing feelings.” Art therapy allows for individuals to communicate through different means and to share difficult feelings.

Burnout is a common issue across numerous professions even beyond the medical sector. Art therapy sessions could definitely extend to other sectors such as education, corporate, and social care.

News article:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yj6412gvxo

Research article:
https://bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/3/2/e002251

Cover image credits:
BBC News