title: Choosing art as a complement to healing.
abstract: Art à la Carte is a volunteer program that enables long-term care patients to decorate their hospital room with an art print of their choice. Thirty-seven participants were interviewed to evaluate the program. The data suggest that art adds a personal touch to the sterile hospital environment, facilitates interaction between staff and patients, and provides positive distractions. Choosing a work of art also helps patients to regain a sense of control. These themes coincide with the key components of supportive health care environment. The data suggest that Art à la Carte can provide a meaningful complement to the healing process.
authors.affiliation: Research Initiatives in Nursing and Health, Calgary Health Region, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2W 3N2. esther.suter@calgaryhealthregion.ca
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Suter
authors.forename: Debbie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Baylin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000416:Alberta; D001154:Art; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005260:Female; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing; D010362:Patients' Rooms