There are various studies that have demonstrated the benefits of the arts in healthcare: a Swedish study found that people who go to lots of cultural events live longer; another study showed that having artwork in labour wards reduced labour times. Dr. Roger Ulrich, of Texas A & M University has done research on how design can improve medical outcomes. He found that what patients see from their bed can affect their recovery times: cardiac patients who had a window with a view got better faster than those looking out to a brick wall. One of Ulrich’s articles that has important information about various ways to use design to improve healthcare outcomes is Evidence Based Environmental Design for Improving Medical Outcomes. Another resource is The Society for the Arts in Healthcare.

The images in the slide show are from the Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre in Surrey, British Columbia. I was the art consultant for the project and the first 20 artworks installed include a floral triptych of mine on the first floor and photography and paintings by the following talented British Columbia artists: Andrea Sirois, Paul Colangelo, Marion Webber, Enda Bardell, Doris MacDougall, Cheryl Fortier, and Mary Chernoff.