Guide to Evidence-Based Art

Kathy Hathorn, MA, and Upali Nanda, Ph.D.

A Position Paper for The Center for Health Design's Environmental Standards Coundil, 2008

INTRODUCTION

In the healthcare environment, art is often the most visible component of a space. Take a minute to visualize the floor or wall color in your dentist’s office or doctor’s waiting room. Can you? Now try envisioning the art in those very same places. If you are like most people, you probably remember the art much more than the paint, finishes, fabrics, or flooring.

In 2002, Harris, McBride, Ross, and Curtis conducted a study of six different hospitals owned by Intermountain Health Care, a not-for-profit provider in Utah. The purpose of the study was to determine to what extent, if any, environmental sources play a role in overall patient satisfaction with an in-bed hospitalization. A total of 380 inpatients were interviewed via telephone shortly after discharge and asked questions about six environmental sources of satisfaction and dissatisfaction inside the patient room and outside the patient room. The study found that hospital interior design features were the most common room features, and the second most common hospital features, mentioned by participants in the study (over other environmental elements such as architectural features, ambient environment, social features, remodeling/construction, or parking). Only maintenance outside the patient room received a higher score than interior design. Investigators noted that, in response to décor aspect, comments were often about the artwork in a room. For example, one respondent remarked, “It would be nice if they had more pictures.”

The study concluded that satisfaction with the hospital environment is an important part of service quality. The physical environment is not a mere backdrop for healthcare delivery—it is an integral part of the hospital experience. Clearly, this study deals with art only as a response item of those participants to whom it was a significant part of the environment, but it makes a case for the importance of artwork and the need to invest in studies that can isolate the role of art in improving healthcare quality. In this paper, we will explore the different levels at which art can improve the quality of healthcare, share experiences of creating effective art programs, and outline guidelines for incorporating appropriate art programs in healthcare settings.