Enhancing creativity to improve palliative care: the role of an experiential self-care workshop

Creativity plays an important part in all aspects of life. Although the nature of creativity is hypothesized in a variety of ways, there is no common agreement as to how or why it manifests. In the USA and UK, creative ability is often restricted by education, and nursing education programmes appear to be no exception. This article discusses the development of a weekend workshop programme for health professionals working with older people and in palliative care, using Alligood's (1991) hypotheses, that there are positive correlations between creativity, self-actualization and empathy. Actualization and creativity are closely related to self-care and there is evidence that 'selfishness' is an essential ingredient in the actualizing process. There is also evidence that an empathic relationship between health workers and their patients has a significant positive impact on interpersonal care processes. If the creative potential of nurses and carers can be enhanced through self-care, their ability to empathize may be increased. The focus of the workshops is on creative methods of self-care, using experiential exercises in relaxation, music, touch, massage and silence. Evaluation of the workshops revealed that the potential of using this method to develop care practices is worthy of investigation and development.