White Paper Arts in Health - Call for Recognition of the Added Value of the Arts in Health

On Feb. 16, Groningen hosted the launch of the white paper Arts in Health: A National Agenda. A white paper, or white paper, is a document that describes how public policy, a technology or product could solve a specific problem. In this case, the white paper is addressed to the government. This is because the integration of the arts into healthcare could contribute to a future-proof healthcare system in the Netherlands. After all, healthcare is under enormous pressure due to rising costs, an aging population, growing health disparities and staff shortages, among other things. It has already been proven that art has a positive effect on people's well-being and health. How can these positive effects be embedded in society?

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The document is a product of an intersectoral collaboration between Leyden Academy, VU Amsterdam, University of Groningen, Arts in Health Netherlands, Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health, University Medical Center Groningen and LKCA. Together they have conducted thorough research into how the arts and culture can have a positive effect on people's health. The document builds on scientific research and practical experience, and concludes with an agenda for the next ten years based on an integrated approach. The following goals are presented:

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1. Build infrastructure for transdisciplinary learning, communication and support
2. Create sustainability-oriented programs
3. Develop a diverse and unified field of education & practice
4. Broaden physician in health research

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Arts in Health and Art-Based Learning in Palliative Care

The project on Art-Based Learning in the palliative care fits well with the mentioned objectives in the white paper. For example, we aim to implement the method focused on palliative care in higher education, both in the arts and health care. In addition, our research also focuses on how watching art can be a meaningful experience, and how this can contribute to meaning-making processes in the last phase of life. The results of the research will hopefully contribute to recognition for the method and thus sustainable, structural implementation of Art-Based Learning in this specific healthcare context

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Source: Lewis, F., Groot, B., Krans, K.L.S., van leeuwen, B., van der Wal-Huisman, H., Abma, T.A., Tal, M., van Campen, C., Kiss, K., Bussemaker, J., Finnema, E., Kolsteeg, J., Buskens, E., te Marvelde, D., & van den Berg, N. (2024). Arts in Health in the Netherlands: A National Agenda. University of Groningen Press. https://doi.org/10.21827/65c5df4b7d0b3

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