Book Reviews
CREATING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN NURSING CARE
AND THE CREATIVE ARTS THERAPIES
Carole-Lynne Le Navenec and Laurel Bridges, eds, 2005, 377
pages.
Publisher: Charles C. Thomas
This book is very useful for nurses and other health professionals
in creative arts therapies, psychology, social work, occupational,
recreational medicine and physical therapies. The general
public also could benefit from the information provided,
particularly in regard to the use of creative art effective
approaches in a variety of care giving situations. Three
interrelated concepts comprise he structure of this book:
creativity, collaboration, and caring. Throughout the book
the contributing authors illustrate very clearly how these
three pillars collectively enhance the care and well-being
of patients/clients.
The book has five sections covering art, music, creative
writing, dance/movement, and drama. The sequence of chapters
follow the journey of human life from birth to the end of
life. The exploration of theoretical and practical applications
contributed by the intersectoral cast of well qualified authors
provide the readers a sense of profound benefits that come
from the therapies when applied to the clients. In the hands
of a skilled professional the applications are imaginative,
unique, and health enhancing.
This
book is a landmark in understanding the connections of
nursing care and creative arts therapies. It is well written,
informative, interesting and thought provoking. It is however
not intended for nurses and other health professionals to
be knowledgeable enough to practice any of these creative
therapies such as music, dance, etc. One questions why these
gentle approaches with creative thinking have not been welcomed
with enthusiasm by many medical authorities who claim to
provide ‘client enhanced care,' or ‘client centered
care,'although the research clearly indicates their benefit
in individual well being.
Outi McEachern, RN, MN, CPMHN(C) is a staff nurse in the
Short Stay Psychiatry unit at the Peter Lougheed Centre,
Calgary, Alberta. October 6, 2005.
Creating
Connections between Nursing Care and the Creative Arts
Therapies - by Dr Joe Norris |
