International maPping exercise of Arts Interventions in reNal uniTs: the PAINT project

People living with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) often experience reduced quality of life¹, depression and a higher prevalence rate for anxiety compared to the general population². Using the arts to promote and support health and wellbeing has received ongoing attention since the publication of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Wellbeing report in 2017 outlining the benefits of the arts on psychological, social and physical health and wellbeing³, and the World Health Organisation 2019 report on the evidence for arts⁴.

The Renal Arts Group is a collaborative research group established between patients with ESKD, carers, clinicians, academics, and artists to develop a programme of research aimed at developing and evaluating arts interventions to improve the physical and psychological quality of life of those living with kidney disease. This programme of research includes the PAINT project.

Objectives:

• Identify the current provision of arts programmes for renal patients globally
• Explore the experiences of renal healthcare staff who provide activities in their unit
• Establish international partnerships with project partners
• Identify policy recommendations for future development of arts programmes for renal patients

Methods:
A mixed methods approach was adopted involving an online survey and a series of semi-structured interviews.

Results:
118 survey responses were collected from participants representing 29 countries. 33% of respondents indicated that arts activities were available to patients in their units. 16 individuals took part in the qualitative interviews, which further explored themes emerging from the survey data. Preliminary themes identified include:

• • Positive outcomes for patients
    • Improved wellbeing
    • Lower levels of boredom
  • Staff engagement and enthusiasm
    • Types of arts activities
    • ‘Legacy’ of the patients
  • Barriers to participation
  • Resources
  • Infection control
  • Emphasis on ‘surviving rather than thriving’
    • Conclusion/Application to practice

The PAINT project will identify policy recommendations for future development of arts in health programmes.

References:

• 1. Hackett, M.L., and Jardine, M.J. (2017) We need to talk about Depression and Dialysis: But what questions should we ask, and does anyone know the answers? Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 120, pp. 222-224.
  2. Murtagh, F.E., Addington-Hall, J., Higginson, I.J. (2007). The prevalence of symptoms in end-stage renal disease: a systematic review. Advances in Chronic Kidney Disease. 14(1), pp. 82–99.
  3. All-Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Wellbeing Inquiry Report 2017 Creative Health: The Arts for Health and Wellbeing [Accessed Online] Available at: https://www.culturehealthandwellbeing.org.uk/appg-inquiry/
  4. Fancourt, D. and Finn, S. (2019). What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being? A scoping review. World Health Organisation [online] Available at: http://www.euro.who.int/en/publications/abstracts/what-is-the-evidence-on-the-role-of-the-arts-in-improving-health-and-well-being-a-scoping-review-2019