Art as contextual element in improving hospital patients’ well-being: A scoping review

Abstract

The study investigates how visual art as a contextual element affects patients’ well-being and experience of healthcare facilities, especially in hospitals. Placing artworks into hospital rooms may be one way to improve these experiences, and, for example, applying virtual reality can offer new opportunities for increased well-being. A total of 29 research articles indexed in three databases (Arts in Medicine, PubMed and PsycINFO) were included in the review. They were selected using thematic searches. The study shows that systematic research supporting the value of art in the healthcare sector is still limited. Moreover, it acknowledges clear positive effects of art on patient outcomes in a hospital context. It is concluded that artworks can positively affect the mood of patients and offer them means to better cope with mental and physical health conditions although more research of different art practices in hospital contexts is needed.