Why does CHArt matter?

Burnout and psychosocial distress resulting from chronic work-related stress are serious and growing issues for NHS clinicians. The increasing need for specialist psychosocial support, and the growing understanding that “one size does not fit all”, means we need to explore a range of interventions which are effective and offer choice to clinicians. Art therapy, a psychological therapy which uses art as a key element of treatment, has been found to reduce symptoms of burnout, stress, and anxiety in healthcare workers. It is increasingly been used by stressed healthcare workers globally, but research is still at an early stage.

CHArt will be the first Randomised Control Trial (RCT) using art therapy with clinicians in the U.K. The programme has already been piloted with St Bartholomew’s Hospital (SBH) oncology and palliative care doctors. The research has grown out of the researcher’s experience working with clinicians and their patients for 17 years in the role of Lead Art Psychotherapist in Cancer and Palliative Psychological Services at Barts Health NHS Trust.