Filling hospitals with art reduces patient stress, anxiety and pain • Hacker News Board

Re: Filling hospitals with art reduces patient stress, anxiety and pain

#131

Post by helb » Thu, Aug 01, 2019, 6:07 AM UTC

merpnderp wrote: post #110

BuildTheRobots wrote: post #39

When not in hospital, we suggest people need mental stimulation, exercise, good food and daylight to stay healthy and sane. None of these things are possible when you're convalescing. Don't get me wrong, I'm _very_ thankful for the fact I still have both my legs, but staying sane is extremely difficult. Half of the bays on my ward literally had no windows. There were people around me that hadn't seen daylight in over…

Where is this? In the US I’ve never seen a hospital without windows and free tv. Although gyms are different, likely because if you are healthy enough to hit the gym you are healthy enough to go home. Although one thing that always stood out is no one is expected to sleep in a hospital. A nurse or doctor will likely be in every few hours doing something to wake you up. And in between there will always be noise from t…

> Where is this?

> £40/week

Sounds like UK…

Re: Filling hospitals with art reduces patient stress, anxiety and pain

#132

Post by throwaway_se099 » Thu, Aug 01, 2019, 6:52 AM UTC

helb wrote: post #131

merpnderp wrote: post #110

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Where is this? In the US I’ve never seen a hospital without windows and free tv. Although gyms are different, likely because if you are healthy enough to hit the gym you are healthy enough to go home. Although one thing that always stood out is no one is expected to sleep in a hospital. A nurse or doctor will likely be in every few hours doing something to wake you up. And in between there will always be noise from t…

> Where is this? > £40/week Sounds like UK…

> Sounds like UK…

Britannia Hospital?

Re: Filling hospitals with art reduces patient stress, anxiety and pain

#133

Post by KON_Air » Thu, Aug 01, 2019, 7:00 AM UTC

AdmiralAsshat wrote: post #42

They should probably qualify what kind of art seems to reduce anxiety. I could line a patient waiting room with H.R. Giger paintings, but that might not achieve the same result: https://slowsoulburn.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/hr_giger_du... http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lwoGruDK7ww/TWaPQYPMQ9I/AAAAAAAAAc... https://slowsoulburn.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/hr-giger_00... https://pickadolla.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/elp…

Rather then anxious I'd be dissapointed because I didn't walk out as a biomechanical cyborg.

Re: Filling hospitals with art reduces patient stress, anxiety and pain

#134

Post by trampypizza » Thu, Aug 01, 2019, 9:16 AM UTC

rolltiide wrote: post #123

mhh__ wrote: post #115

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Doesn't sound out of place for some NHS hospitals

Can you shed insight on why the acceptance of the NHS is like a religion or seemingly tied to national identity so much? Modification or criticism of NHS seems like an off limits topic with UK residents, and it just seems like a weird topic to be off limits so I don't really understand

I think it is partially due to the fact that the establishment of the NHS has always been framed as a monumental act. It's creation is seen as part of the country's recovery after WW2, and has been used as a political tool in almost every General Election since 1945. I think people see it as a source of national pride as well (there's some irony in this considering the significant role played by immigrants in the service). Certainly from my point of view, Britain has an extremely questionable history, and for me it feels wrong to have a sense of national pride about the British Empire, or British Military Might etc. However, the NHS is a remarkable organisation which is inherently tied to an ideology and a movement which I believe in, so I am comfortable with feeling proud of it.

I do think that it needs to be open to criticism, though. There are issues in the NHS and I'm sure there are problems with the way that National Insurance works (our way of paying for the NHS). I have unfortunately had a lot of exposure to the NHS and the way some things work is frustrating. For example, I am unable to get an insulin pump to treat my Diabetes because there are national requirements that I do not meet. I undertstand why this is in place (budget cuts) but that doesn't stop it from being frustrating - I'd essentially have to sabotage my condition to the point where my control was so bad that I would qualify for a pump.

Like the other commenter said, I think what most people hear when people talk of reforming the NHS is an Americanisation of the NHS, and they believe this is inherently bad. Rightly or wrongly, that is the impression that people get. It's a shame because I think it shuts down all talk of reformation, despite the fact that there are other European countries which also have socialised healthcare but operate in different ways which I have heard are more efficient. I haven't done enough research into this to really provide any helpful comparisons, but if anyone has any information or links which explore the funding and service provision of other socialised health care provision in contrast with the UK, I'd love to have a read.

Re: Filling hospitals with art reduces patient stress, anxiety and pain

#135

Post by Broken_Hippo » Thu, Aug 01, 2019, 9:31 AM UTC

merpnderp wrote: post #110

BuildTheRobots wrote: post #39

When not in hospital, we suggest people need mental stimulation, exercise, good food and daylight to stay healthy and sane. None of these things are possible when you're convalescing. Don't get me wrong, I'm _very_ thankful for the fact I still have both my legs, but staying sane is extremely difficult. Half of the bays on my ward literally had no windows. There were people around me that hadn't seen daylight in over…

Where is this? In the US I’ve never seen a hospital without windows and free tv. Although gyms are different, likely because if you are healthy enough to hit the gym you are healthy enough to go home. Although one thing that always stood out is no one is expected to sleep in a hospital. A nurse or doctor will likely be in every few hours doing something to wake you up. And in between there will always be noise from t…

"if you are healthy enough to hit the gym you are healthy enough to go home."

Not everyone is in the hospital as a patient and not every patient is in the hospital for something very dire. For example, I was in the hospital for 3 days once getting IV steroids. In between doses and things like blood sugar checks, I had no need to stick around the hospital bed. I truly could have happily and safely walked on a treadmill, for example. This was before most hospitals here had wifi, though, and would have been better than being bored.

A few months ago, I was in observation for 6 or so hours due to a medication I was starting. I had a portable heart monitor, and really simply needed hourly blood pressure and pulse checks along with simple access to hospital staff. At one point, my pulse was low and I needed - for my own health - to be active. Luckily, I simply walked around outside, stopped at the kiosk (gas station without the gas), and was back before my next check.

I'm sure there are slews of other situations that one needs to be in a hospital, but not necessarily confined to a hospital bed.

Re: Filling hospitals with art reduces patient stress, anxiety and pain

#136

Post by tvararu » Thu, Aug 01, 2019, 9:33 AM UTC

merpnderp wrote: post #110

BuildTheRobots wrote: post #39

When not in hospital, we suggest people need mental stimulation, exercise, good food and daylight to stay healthy and sane. None of these things are possible when you're convalescing. Don't get me wrong, I'm _very_ thankful for the fact I still have both my legs, but staying sane is extremely difficult. Half of the bays on my ward literally had no windows. There were people around me that hadn't seen daylight in over…

Where is this? In the US I’ve never seen a hospital without windows and free tv. Although gyms are different, likely because if you are healthy enough to hit the gym you are healthy enough to go home. Although one thing that always stood out is no one is expected to sleep in a hospital. A nurse or doctor will likely be in every few hours doing something to wake you up. And in between there will always be noise from t…

> Although gyms are different, likely because if you are healthy enough to hit the gym you are healthy enough to go home.

St. Thomas' in London (UK) has a gym for patients that need to do phisyotherapy exercises. I don't recall treadmills or squat racks, but they had medicine balls, free weights, instructors, music, and so on.

Re: Filling hospitals with art reduces patient stress, anxiety and pain

#137

Post by DanBC » Thu, Aug 01, 2019, 9:36 AM UTC

rolltiide wrote: post #123

mhh__ wrote: post #115

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Doesn't sound out of place for some NHS hospitals

Can you shed insight on why the acceptance of the NHS is like a religion or seemingly tied to national identity so much? Modification or criticism of NHS seems like an off limits topic with UK residents, and it just seems like a weird topic to be off limits so I don't really understand

This is based on a misunderstanding.

There are lots of modifications of the NHS that people would welcome.

The core features we want to keep are 1) free at the point of delivery 2) provided by NHS organisations (although even this is changing).

"The" NHS is incredibly complex and most people have very little idea about how it works which makes any discussion about it very difficult.

Re: Filling hospitals with art reduces patient stress, anxiety and pain

#138

Post by DanBC » Thu, Aug 01, 2019, 9:40 AM UTC

jsmith99 wrote: post #85

BuildTheRobots wrote: post #39

When not in hospital, we suggest people need mental stimulation, exercise, good food and daylight to stay healthy and sane. None of these things are possible when you're convalescing. Don't get me wrong, I'm _very_ thankful for the fact I still have both my legs, but staying sane is extremely difficult. Half of the bays on my ward literally had no windows. There were people around me that hadn't seen daylight in over…

I'm assuming you're in the UK? The hospitals I've used in London had plenty of art in corridors, but not in the wards. They also had a library of sorts: a bookshelf on wheels that the volunteers could bring round on request. They also had free WiFi that clashed somewhat with the signs warning not to use mobile phones. The built in pay TV and phone was ghastly though - I assume its to price gouge old patients as every…

Free WiFi is now a national (English, not sure about NI, Wales, or Scotland) requirement. At least, I think it's a requirement.

Here's the NHS digital guidance about it.

https://digital.nhs.uk/services/nhs-wifi

Re: Filling hospitals with art reduces patient stress, anxiety and pain

#139

Post by DanBC » Thu, Aug 01, 2019, 9:48 AM UTC

protomyth wrote: post #15

jdietrich wrote: post #12

Before everyone piles in with their opinion, has anyone actually found the research mentioned in this article? I've searched quite thoroughly, but I can't find any sign that it has actually been published anywhere. I did find the paper from 2004 and was not impressed. http://www.publicartonline.org.uk/resources/research/documen...

This [1] at least has an reference section, but most of the actual research listed is based on audio not visual. I suspect that this article is an advertisement for Chelsea and Westminster Hospital’s new book, The Healing Arts which is available from Unicorn Publishing Group. I get the feeling any data, if available, is in the book. 1) http://www.lahf.org.uk/sites/default/files/Chelsea%20and%20W...

I spent a lot of time in Chelsea and Westminster and it's not a very nice hospital.

The burns unit was clean, bright and airy. But there were limited activity available because of infection control reasons, and the layout of the hospital was hostile to physical activity. Using the stairs was hard, all the signs and designs pushed you to the elevators. And those had been programmed incorrectly so they took an age to arrive and the to get you to your floor.

As far as built environments for burns units go it was better than Birmingham Shelly Oak (Victorian building, excellent care because military connection), better than Bristol Frenchay (awful care, I think they've knocked it down now), but not as good as Salisbury (better layout, good care).

This is a severe problem for the NHS: The amount of estate that's just terrible is surprising.

Re: Filling hospitals with art reduces patient stress, anxiety and pain

#140

Post by BuildTheRobots » Thu, Aug 01, 2019, 10:56 AM UTC

merpnderp wrote: post #110

BuildTheRobots wrote: post #39

When not in hospital, we suggest people need mental stimulation, exercise, good food and daylight to stay healthy and sane. None of these things are possible when you're convalescing. Don't get me wrong, I'm _very_ thankful for the fact I still have both my legs, but staying sane is extremely difficult. Half of the bays on my ward literally had no windows. There were people around me that hadn't seen daylight in over…

Where is this? In the US I’ve never seen a hospital without windows and free tv. Although gyms are different, likely because if you are healthy enough to hit the gym you are healthy enough to go home. Although one thing that always stood out is no one is expected to sleep in a hospital. A nurse or doctor will likely be in every few hours doing something to wake you up. And in between there will always be noise from t…

Bear in mind some of the buildings still in use are ancient - the oldest part of of the hospital was opened 1860 and is still in use. It's also had rooms re-purposed from things like storage and kitchens to actual wards.

The TV thing is infuriating. Apparently our government decided that the NHS should not front the cost of entertainment (which kinda makes sense) but instead we now have for-profit companies screwing over the vulnerable instead. It seems entirely wrong.

> Although gyms are different, likely because if you are healthy enough to hit the gym you are healthy enough to go home.

This really isn't true. Just because someone has broken their arm doesn't mean they're not capable of 30 minutes cycling on a static bike. Just because I was on IV antibiotics 6 times a day didn't mean I couldn't have burnt off some energy in a safe and healthy way.

The lack of sleep _is_ crazy, but even more so the insistence that you should go to bed and wake up early. "ooh, all you do is sleep all day!" - well yes. because my other alternative is sitting in a chair staring at a wall all day (and anyway, I covered 8 miles on crutches last night).