Des fenêtres culturelles à l’hôpital : susciter de nouvelles perspectives cliniques dans les établissements de santé

Context

This article is based on doctoral research interested in the effects of “médiation culturelle” – the bi-directional interplay and effects of embedding a cultural experience or artistic process – on institutional behavior, environment, daily routine, and corporate culture. The specific focus here is an original institutional experience, entitled “Windows Open to the World,” that examines the effect of embedding an artist and artistic process into the everyday life of a regional rehabilitation center for patients with acquired neurologic disease or traumatic injury. This study was completed in partnership with the Biennale d’Art Contemporain of Lyon, via the Veduta platform and the artist/photographer Karim Kal, as part of the national Culture and Health program.

Method

This is exploratory research. In an institutional clinical setting, we present clinical observations and propose lines of reflection and analysis.

Objectives

This study seeks to analyze the function of art on healthcare institutions (daily routine, corporate culture, environment) and professional practice. This study further explores the modulatory effect of embedding artistic and cultural experiences (“médiation culturelle”) on clinical staff, including the potential to improve providers’ feelings of well-being, renew professional interest and commitment, spark individual and team creativity, improve team cohesion, and reduce burn-out.

Results

As an interventional device, the “médiation culturelle” process created new opportunities at the institutional level: in a dynamic interplay, embedding the artistic process created new common space and spontaneous gatherings; and time spent in discussion promoted collaboration between professionals, allowing new projects to come to life despite the current constraints of the institutional environment. The preparatory work required for any project, often undocumented and hidden from view, is shown by these results to be essential.

These interdisciplinary projects are conducive to group work, prompting a review of and a strengthening of the team's approach to collaborative clinical care. Moreover, through the interactive creative nature of the artistic cultural intervention, these projects serve to generate enduring psychological interactions and emotional experiences between patients, artists, and professionals, ultimately forging more vibrant relationships through these shared experiences. These cultural interventions make it possible to reset and re-ignite the imagination in the institution, in support and advocacy of artistic creativity. Similarly, they rejuvenate the professional staff, stimulating new ideas, fostering creative exchange, and prompting collaboration with natural extensions to their clinical practice. These cultural projects can also serve as a kind of libidinal recharge for professionals, supporting their ability to generate and maintain patient motivation over time.

Interpretations

In the current context of deteriorating working conditions for health care professionals, psychologists within multidisciplinary teams are increasingly led to find creative means to support their colleagues’ work. Incorporating a system of artistic and cultural processes into institutional healthcare systems is a novel and innovative approach that humanizes the hospital environment, enriches the patient experience, and re-invigorates the professionals who work there.