Images of loneliness: using art as an educational method in professional training.
BACKGROUND
An educational program using art was created to prepare healthcare professionals to work with older adults by deepening their knowledge of loneliness and promoting self-reflection.


METHODS
Participants viewed art exploring themes of loneliness and discussed their perceptions. Semi-structured feedback questionnaires were used to evaluate evidence of learning.


RESULTS
Training enhanced ethical knowing, aesthetic knowing, and empathy. Healthcare professionals also reported increased self-knowledge and skills to use art in group interventions. They gained deeper understanding of loneliness through viewing works of art.


CONCLUSIONS
Viewing art and discussing perceptions of loneliness or suffering was an effective method to help healthcare professionals develop empathy.
Blomqvist
Lisbeth
L
The Central Union for the Welfare of the Aged, Helsinki, Finland.
Pitkälä
Kaisu
K
Routasalo
Pirkko
P
D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D001154:Art; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004496:Education, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D004645:Empathy; D030141:Feedback, Psychological; D005387:Finland; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000193:education; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000193:education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008132:Loneliness / Q000523:psychology*; D008512:Medicine in the Arts; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012934:Social Isolation / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013664:Teaching Materials; D013850:Thinking