Arts in health: the value of evaluation

This article aims to discuss a number of different approaches to the evaluation of the value of implementing arts projects and arts programmes, presenting the evidence of their impact when implemented either in community settings or within a healthcare environment. It focuses on the evidence provided by quantitative research and also discusses the merits of applying qualitative research, outlining their different approach of collecting, interpreting and analysing the data. A brief consideration is also given to the arguments underpinning the introduction of humanities and arts in medical and nursing education and training, an approach that promotes personal development and, most importantly, encourages the health practitioner to become more humane, understanding and sympathetic in their everyday practice. It also renders them more amenable to the introduction of art in the healthcare environment. The article concludes that the value of evaluating the effect of the arts in healthcare resides in providing to all involved in designing, implementation and funding, the knowledge of what, when and how to introduce different art forms to achieve the most effective results. Evaluations produce evidence of the impact of different art forms in encouraging beneficial clinical outcomes in patients, in enhancing the quality of healthcare services and in improving working conditions and job satisfaction.