arts+medicine in the media
GP Review September 2004
The Art of Good Medicine
If you posed the question, most people would acknowledge that listening to music can soothe the soul, gazing at a fine painting or sculpture can stimulate the senses, attending the theatre can distract from a bruising day and dancing can sling off the doldrums. In short, the arts are good for you.
The good news is that the arts are being increasingly integrated into healthcare practice as part of an holistic approach that encompasses medical treatment, therapy, medication, diet, exercise and pursuits that re-energize and revitalise people.
Eighteen months ago, Australian publisher I'media Asia Pacific came across some interesting scientific research emanating from London’s Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, where there is a fully integrated arts and health program. The findings were mesmerising. Women in labour wards, where music was played and art graced the walls, had their babies two and a half hours earlier than those less fortunate women in the regular labour wards. The research revealed quite dramatic changes in blood pressure, stress levels and pain threshold where the arts were utilised as part of the treatment.
'It was like a Pandora’s box,' says I'media’s Managing Director Margret Meagher. 'The more we looked, the more we found and the data was so compelling that we felt we had no choice but to publish it. The challenge was how to get the message out. We are a small publishing company and trying to create a mainstream publication was beyond our resources.
It then occurred to me that if we published a magazine just for doctors – not only could we reach many more people through their patients but we could also offer first hand information and ideas about ways that the doctors themselves could engage with the arts and improve their own health and wellbeing'. And hey presto, arts+medicine was born.
The first issue is to be launched by the Governor of NSW, Dr Marie Bashir AC on 11 October at Government House in Sydney. Dr Bashir, a psychiatrist and an arts enthusiast, is a great supporter of arts and health initiatives, and we are very proud that she has agreed to officially unveil the first issue.
arts+medicine is a bimonthly magazine distributed, on a complimentary basis, to 30 000 doctors in Australia. The first issue features bipolar disorder as its cover story and how the arts can assist in management of mental health.
In recognition of breast cancer awareness month in October, arts+medicine profiles the battle with breast cancer by one of the members of the Sydney Symphony. Other stories include artist and actor Max Cullen talking about his involvement with ‘Creative Madness’ (Max’s self portrait graces the front cover of the first issue), the ABC’s Robyn Williams ponders why doctors make great writers (did you know John Keats, Anton Chekhov, Somerset Maugham and Michael Crichton were all medicos?) and Jane Southwood profiles Australian of the Year, Dr Fiona Stanley.
GP Review, published by The Royal Australian College Of General Practitioners
www.racgp.org.au