Inside Duke Medicine
Health, Arts and Healing: Creating a better environment for patients and staff
posted February 24th, 2010Duke Raleigh Hospital's Health, Arts and Healing program provides artwork throughout the hospital and campus. From the lobby of the hospital to each individual patient room, there is art.
Staff find the art brings a warmth to the hospital and also helps them provide better care for patients.
Deb Plexico, RN on the Medical Surgical Unit, says looking at a picture is a way of managing pain.
"I've had a number of patients say to me, 'When I'm really hurting, I look at that picture, and I try to go into that picture. This picture soothes me and I feel like I can cope when I am looking at this picture.' "
Nancy Davis, director of Imaging Services, said that the beach themed artwork in the department is bright and vibrant and allows patients to escape from why they're at the hospital.
"They're able to be distracted and allow the paintings to take them to a place of happier times," Davis said.
Charles Hodges, M.D., medical director of the Inpatient Medical Service, said: "The staff benefits as well. To have a nice work environment makes a big difference."
The Health, Arts and Healing program is supported by the Duke Raleigh Hospital Guild's special projects.