Riley Patients Teach Doctors, Others With Their Art

01/04/2007

Indianapolis- Sometimes kids say the darndest things-and sometimes they draw them. Patiently Doctoring, a new book created by kids will help doctors and caregivers at Riley Hospital for Children better understand what it's like to be a patient in the hospital.

Patients at Riley created art about their hospital experience to tell physicians and other caregivers how they want to be treated. Art therapist, Elyce Elder, MAAT, examined their drawings for larger messages, and her observations accompany each picture.

Patiently Doctoring highlights the children's art and its interpretation. In it, the children voice fears, concerns and gratitude. On one page, an 8-year-old girl writes, "Don't say that shots are not going to hurt when they are..." The therapist's interpretation: "This child was expressing her desire for doctors to tell the truth." Creating the art provided the children with a sense of control and an opportunity for self-expression. This unique project will strengthen and expand the healing relationship between patients and doctors.

Breaking new ground in using art as education, Patiently Doctoring will become part of the curriculum in family communication courses at Indiana University School of Medicine and a continuing education course for physicians, residents, medical students and Riley Hospital employees.

This project underscores Riley Hospital's pioneering philosophy of Family-Centered Care, which recognizes the vital role that families play in ensuring the health and well-being of their children. The Families as Faculty program, which engages families in the instruction of medical students, residents, and nurses; and the Red Shoes Award, which honors staff who are nominated by patients and families at Riley, are two of the cornerstones of Riley's Family-Centered Care philosophy.

Patiently Doctoring, an exhibit of works created by patients at Riley and community artists, displayed at The Harrison Center for the Arts, 1505 N. Delaware Street from January 5, 2007 until January 27, 2007. Johnson & Johnson and The Society for Art in Healthcare chose to fund Patiently Doctoring and 32 other national projects from more than 200 submitted ideas.

Copies of the book are available for the media.