The essential dialogue: a Norwegian study of art communication in mental health care
Journal article, Peer reviewed
Postprint version of published article.
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Date
2012-08Metadata
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Ingeberg M.H,, Wikstrøm, B. M., & Berg, A. (2012). The Essential Dialogue: A Norwegian Study of Art Communication in Mental Health Care. Journal of psychosocial nursing and mental health services, 50(8), 22-30. http://dx.doi.org/10.3928/02793695-20120703-01Abstract
This study focuses on how semi-structured art dialogues can be used to communicate with older patients with impaired mental health. The study was conducted on a geropsychiatric ward at a university hospital in Norway. To communicate with the patients via works of art, health professionals used semi-structured art dialogues; data were collected by qualitative methods. The findings are based on verbatim quotations regarding the health professionals’ experiences of their communication with the patients. Two main categories were identified: the physical domain and the caring domain. Dialogues about figurative as well as nonfigurative art forms were found to stimulate and evoke memories; for some patients, these dialogues were an essential step in creating well-being as well as more-being.