Co-creative art processes with patients: A theoretical framework and qualitative study among artists

PLoS One. 2022 Apr 7;17(4):e0266401. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266401. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

A cancer diagnosis may be experienced as a contingent life event. Co-creation-in which artists together with patients create a work of art reflecting on aspects of the patients' life story-may be used to support patients to integrate such a contingent life event into their life story. We conducted a qualitative study in which we interviewed 10 professional artists to explore if co-creative art processes could facilitate integration of experiences of contingency in patients. Template analyses were performed in AtlasTi. We identified co-creation as a specific form of support to the process of integration of experiences of contingency. In the formation of a new life narrative, patients transcend the boundaries of their previous life narrative by changing their perspective. Self-transcendence forms a pivotal point in co-creation, which may be helpful for patients to integrate experiences of contingency into their life narratives.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Art*
  • Humans
  • Narration
  • Qualitative Research

Grants and funding

This study was funded by the Dutch Cancer Society, grant number 11507 https://www.kwf.nl/ The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.